Even if sufferers do not die, the effects of having it can be serious. After all the person is, in effect, starving themselves, and therefore will suffer similar problems as those people who are suffering from malnutrition or starvation. These effects can include heart problems, stomach problems, kidney failure, brittle bones, anaemia, epileptic fits, sexual and sleep problems, and often depression . The main difference is that people who suffer from Bulimia nervosa tend to be at a normal weight or slightly over. For more details see our Bulimia page.
Nobody really knows, although their are a lot of different theories around.
There are a lot of interesting theories, although we haven't got time to go into more detail here. We will not consider the medical treatment here, but Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy , is probably among the most effective forms of psychological treatment in the short term. Other forms of therapy such as Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy may also be effective in the long term. The important thing to remember is that the condition rarely improves unless some attempt is made to tackle the underlying feelings the person has about themselves, their bodies, and their control over eating. If the sufferer is physically too unwell.