UNDERSTANDING BULIMIA

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterised by a binge-purge cycle…

WHAT IS BULIMIA?

During a binge, sufferers will eat a large volume of, often unhealthy, food in a short period

BINGE

After eating sufferers will try to purge their body of the calories they’ve consumed.

The most common forms or purging are: Throwing up Using laxatives Using diuretics Exercising hard

PURGE

Strict dieting

Diet slips or difficult situation arises

Binge eating

triggered

Purging to avoid weight gain

Feelings of

shame and self-hatred

BINGE – PURGE CYCLE

Very secretive illness – sufferers are usually very ashamed about their difficulties and work hard to hide them

Normal weight – unlike other eating disorders, bulimia does not usually result in noticeable weight gain or weight loss

HARD TO SPOT

In some cases you may notice a weight fluctuation as purging only removes about 50%

of calories – so if a sufferer goes through a period of extreme binging and purging their

weight may increase compared to times when they are managing their difficulties and bingeing

and purging less.

WEIGHT FLUCTUATION

People with bulimia usually have very low self-esteem

They often feel ugly, fat and worthless and think others are judging them on their weight and shape

LOW SELF-ESTEEM

BULIMIA SUMMARYI spent longer throwing up than eating. Every time I’d promise myself I’d stick to my diet this time, but I just

couldn’t do it.

• Binge purge cycle

• Roughly normal weight

• Fluctuation in weight (some cases)

• Low self-esteem, think they’re fat / ugly