Bulimia nervosa, BN, is a mental disorder that is characterized by binge eating and behaviors such as excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, and laxative abuse.
One of the telltale signs of Bulimia is seen by looking at the teeth, meaning that it is often detected by a Dentist. The self-induced vomiting causes an erosion of the enamel on the back of the front upper teeth.
The science behind bulimia reveals that serotonin and estrogen play a role in its development. Specifically, there is a decrease in the signaling of estrogen within the brain that leads to decreased signaling of serotonin within the brain. Estrogen deactivates the serotonin 1A receptor, which leads to more release of serotonin but with a dysregulation in estrogen there is a decreased release of serotonin.
The decreased estrogen function explains the “out of control” feelings associated with BN. Decreased serotonin signaling leads to feelings of anxiety and impulsive behaviors, both characteristics of bulimia.
It is hypothesized that bulimia begins with a mood disorder. Decreased serotonin levels in the brain can lead to depression, which explains the presence of a mood disorder in individuals with bulimia.
But what’s the initial cause of bulimia? As mentioned above, there is a dysregulation of estrogen and serotonin signaling in the brain, but what is the media’s role in bulimia. Bulimia develops most often during puberty. If teenagers are constantly being told by the media that they need to be skinny, then it seems logical that bulimia would develop in today’s youth.
Bulimia: what's the cause?
