We often hear of some celebrity or another confession on live national TV that she’s battling bulimia, which is probably one of the reasons why more and more people now know what the disease is and what it is about. However, one thing that we know very little of is the exact cause of the disease.

Bulimia is among the most lethal of mental health diseases, claiming the lives of six to thirteen percent of its victims, the majority of which are still in their teens.

Basically there is no exact cause for bulimia. Studies suggest that the disease is a result of the interaction of a variety of factors. There’s evidence that some people have a genetic predisposition towards the disease, especially if the person has a history of addiction in the family. There is also a strong correlation between sexual abuse and the development of the eating disorder.

Other factors include family attitudes on health, peer pressure, as well as the ubiquitous influence of the media on how people, especially young women, view the ideal body should be. The media’s constant emphasis on the thin body as the ideal body is believed to be a major factor why young girls binge and purge in an attempt to stay thin.

Factors that can increase the risk include poor eating habits, low self-esteem and ineffective coping skills.

All these things can work together to contribute to the development of bulimia in an individual. The bottom line is that bulimia is a deadly disease. If you see the classic signs of bulimia in a person who also has the above, encourage that person (especially if he or she is a friend or family member) to get help and continue to offer your support.