Nevertheless, some people with eating disorders refuse to admit that they have a problem and do not get treatment. Family members and friends can help recognize the problem and encourage their loved one to seek treatment. People with bulimia nervosa consume large amounts of food and then rid their bodies of the excess calories by vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, taking enemas, or exercising obsessively. Some use a combination of all these forms of purging. There may be fasts or repetitive diets.
Body weight varies.
As is often the case, the more that is learned, the more complex the roots of eating disorders appear. In anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, eating behaviors seem to develop as a way of handling stress and anxieties. They rarely disobey, keep their feelings to themselves, and tend to be perfectionists, good students, and excellent athletes. Having followed the wishes of others for the most part, they have not learned how to cope with the problems typical of adolescence, growing up, and becoming independent. With binge eating, however, comes guilt and depression.