What is bulimia?
Bulimia is the abbreviation of bulimia nervosa, derived from the Latin word bulimia that means insatiable appetite. Those who suffer from bulimia, show a more or less uncontrollable need for binge eating; eating large quantities of food in a short period time. A person suffering from bulimia cannot stop eating even though she/he would like to. This binge- eating is followed by self-induced vomiting, increased physical activity, and often, the use of laxatives. A bulimic individual has the same complicated relationship to food as an anorexic; both are afraid of gaining weight and both are constant dieters.