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Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa, also known as Bulimia occurs when an individual develops the urge to binge and purge with food. Over-eating or binging usually occurs for a set amount of time with large portions of food being consumed.

Sufferers often feel unable to control their urge to binge and often bulimics binge or purge (or both) in secret. Binging is the first step in a recurring cycle, as the sufferer experiences feelings of shame, guilt or depression following binging. These feelings then begin a cycle of purging, where the individual strives to remove the food from their bodies.

There are two different types of Bulimia – purging and non-purging. For those sufferers that purge, a cycle of vomiting begins. Non-purging bulimics try to remove food from their bodies by fasting, over-exercising or taking laxatives, enemas or diuretics.

Detecting Bulimia can be difficult as bulimics can be of normal body weight, overweight or underweight; however, the effects of binging and purging can have long lasting and devastating effects on the body’s organs.

Medication can be prescribed by a GP to break the habitual cycle and therapy can help the sufferer develop strategies for dealing with their eating disorder and establish better relationships with their food. and self image.

If you or someone you know is suffering

If you or someone you know is suffering from Bulimia, you should get help straight away. Due to feelings of shame and guilt, bulimics often feel isolated from those close to them and many binge, purge or both in secret.

For this reason, Bulimia can often go undetected by family members and friends, as unlike Anorexia there is no lasting weight loss. A counsellor or psychotherapist can help sufferers develop strategies for dealing with their Bulimia and develop a positive self-image in order to live a more satisfying life. Medication can be prescribed by a GP to help break the habitual cycle.