What is Bulimia?
Bulimia is an eating disorder and mental health condition.
People who have Bulimia go through periods where they eat a lot of food in a very short amount of time (binge eating) and then purge the food from their body to try to stop themselves gaining weight.
Purging could include making themselves vomit, using laxatives (medicine to help them poo) or diuretics (medicine that makes you pee more), fasting or doing excessive exercise, or a combination of these.
Anyone can get Bulimia, but it is more common in young people aged 15 to 25.
Symptoms of Bulimia
Symptoms of Bulimia include:
- eating very large amounts of food in a short time, often in an out-of-control way – this is called binge eating
- making yourself vomit, using laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or doing an extreme amount of exercise after a binge to avoid putting on weight – this is called purging
- fear of putting on weight
- being very critical about your weight and body shape
- mood changes – for example, feeling very tense or anxious
These symptoms may not be easy to spot in someone else because Bulimia can make people behave very secretively.
Getting help for Bulimia
Getting help and support as soon as possible gives you the best chance of recovering from Bulimia.
If you think you may have Bulimia, see a GP as soon as you can.
They’ll ask you questions about your eating habits and how you’re feeling, and will check your overall health and weight.
If they think you may have Bulimia or another eating disorder, they should refer you to an eating disorder specialist or team of specialists.
The NHS varies in terms of availability and waiting lists, so there is also an option to see a specialist counsellor / therapist. It can be very hard to admit you have a problem and ask for help.
Treatment for Bulimia
You can recover from Bulimia, but it may take time and recovery will be different for everyone. Your treatment plan will be tailored to you and should take into account any other support you might need, such as for depression or anxiety.
Health risks of Bulimia
Bulimia can eventually lead to physical problems associated with not getting the right nutrients, vomiting a lot, or overusing laxatives.
Possible complications include:
- feeling tired and weak
- dental problems – stomach acid from persistent vomiting can damage tooth enamel
- bad breath, a sore throat, or even tears in the lining of the throat – also caused by stomach acid
- irregular or absent periods
- dry skin and hair
- brittle fingernails
- swollen glands
- fits and muscle spasms
- heart, kidney or bowel problems, including constipation
- bone problems – you may be more likely to develop problems such as low bone density (osteopenia) particularly if you have had symptoms of both Bulimia and anorexia
Causes of Bulimia
We do not know exactly what causes Bulimia and other eating disorders.
You may be more likely to get an eating disorder if:
- you or a member of your family has a history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol or drug addiction
- you have been criticised for your eating habits, body shape or weight
- you’re overly concerned with being slim, particularly if you also feel pressure from society or your job
- you have anxiety, low self-esteem or an obsessive personality
- you’ve experienced a stressful event or trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse
Binge-purge cycle
Bulimia is often a vicious cycle of binging and purging, triggered by things such as hunger, sadness or stress.
Periods of excessive eating and loss of control (binge eating) may be used as a way of coping with difficult emotions. You may then feel guilty or ashamed.
You then purge to get rid of the calories, leaving you feeling hungry again, and the cycle continues.
You may set very strict rules for yourself about dieting, eating or exercising.
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