Is bulimia hereditary?

Question

I think my daughter might be bulimic. My ex-wife ( which is the mother of my daughter) has had bulimia since she was 18 years old. She is now 40 and still dealing with this disorder. My question is is bulimia hereditary?

Answer 1

bulimia is not a hereditary, it is an eating disorder.

You might want to look for the following symptoms of you daughter.

Signs and symptoms

People with bulimia regularly engage in episodes of binge eating followed by attempts to prevent weight gain. A binge is considered eating a larger amount of food than most people would eat under similar situations. For instance, someone with bulimia may eat an entire cake, rather than a slice or two. And he or she may continue eating until painfully full. Snacking throughout the day isn't considered a binge. However, sometimes people with bulimia will feel a need to purge after eating only a small or normal-size meal or portion.

Binges often occur in private. People may be home alone where they raid the cupboards for food, for instance. Or they may make the rounds of numerous fast-food restaurants, eating meals at each one.

Once the binge episode ends, the purging begins. That may mean heading to the bathroom to vomit or hitting the treadmill for hours of exercise. Someone may also take numerous laxatives or fast. Some people use their fingers or a toothbrush to induce vomiting by gagging. As the illness progresses, some people become so adept at self-induced vomiting that they can do it at will.

Technically, bulimia is categorized in two ways:

Purging. People regularly engage in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics and enemas to compensate for binges.

Nonpurging. People use other methods to rid themselves of calories and prevent weight gain, such as over-exercising or fasting.

The attempt to rid one's self of extra calories is usually referred to as purging, no matter what the method actually is. Indeed, the lines between the two types of bulimia often blur or overlap. And in either case, signs and symptoms are similar.

Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia include:

1. Abnormal bowel functioning
2. Damaged teeth and gums
3. Swollen salivary glands in the cheeks
4. Sores in the throat and mouth
5. Bloating
6. Dehydration
7. Fatigue
8. Dry skin
9. Irregular heartbeat
10. Sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands
11. Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)
12. People with bulimia tend to be at normal weight or overweight.

Emotional and behavioral indications

Emotional and behavioral characteristics associated with bulimia may include:

1. Constant dieting
2. Recurrent episodes of binge eating
3. Feeling that you can't control your eating behavior
4. Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
5. Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal meal or snack
6. Following a binge with efforts to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, using laxatives or other medications, fasting or excessive exercise
7. Unhealthy focus on your body shape and weight

8. Having a distorted, excessively negative body image

9. Going to the bathroom after eating or during meals

10. Hoarding food

11. Depression or anxiety

Answer 2

I don't think bulimia is hereditary, it's an eating disorder (it can also be considered a mental disorder) I hope she gets help, finds support in order to live a healthier life.

I hope your daughter gets better soon

Bulimia: You're not just losing weight (video)
http://youtu.be/cetG6MPfsPM

Answer 3

No bulimia is not hereditary, it is a eating disorder.
Try a psychiatrist, and look into what gave you the impression thin or fat is good?

Answer 4

If your wife has OCD or a mental disorder that causes her to be obsessed with her appearance, that can be hereditary. I would seek counseling if you suspect your daughter has bulemia.

Answer 5

In my opinion i don't think its a heredity per say it to me is ...a child watches the way the parent is...so they learn year after year. She has seen what her Mom does and so by watching maybe she has learned how to deal with things the same way...I would ask your daughter if she is having any issues about the way she deals with things maybe she will open up to you...If you think she is being bulimic you could always check her teeth with a dentist they can tell if she has been bulimic by the way her enamel on her teeth is....hope this helps good luck...

Answer 6

Yes, you can inherit bulimia

Answer 7

Not always, but yes, it can be. It's very likely that a daughter would inherit this disorder if you suspect bulimic symptoms.

Answer 8

No i do not beleve bulimia is hereditary.I beleve it is psycholigical...

Answer 9

no its not...

its more of a psychological illness.. so it has nothing to do with genes..