Conditions
Bulimia
Bulimia can affect both men and women but statistically women are more likely to develop Bulimia than men. The condition results in sufferers binging on food, and then purging it from their bodies by being sick or using laxatives. This is usually carried out in private, as the sufferers will frequently feel guilty about their binge eating. Symptoms of the condition can include obsessive behaviour, over eating, scarred knuckles, depression and damage to the tooth enamel (from stomach acid). The causes of bulimia are difficult to pin down, and vary from sufferer to sufferer. Low self-esteem is one contributory factor, as is depression, stress mental health disorders. There is also some evidence of a genetic link. Treatment is long and complicated, normally beginning with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but also potentially anti-depressants. Going to your GP early allows for the full range of treatments to be explored.
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From reading everyone's comments, it seems that a common thread here is feeling alone in dealing with this. My personal experience with more than one GP (there are several at my practise) is that it feels impossible to be taken seriously. It takes a lot of courage to approach someone for help. I was simply refered on to a place that didn't exist anymore, after saying I'd been sick almost everyday for 6 years. Next I was completely ignored and the GP only acknowledged the other minor ailment I'd gone in for.
(also, ditto depression. GPs don't seem able to deal with these problems! But we are always advised that we should approach them first)
Im bulimic last night had a slight relapse very ahshamed but dont know how to tell the doctor. And my ankles have swollen real bad is this related?
For the past 5 years I have been suffering from the eating disorder anorexia but this has now developed into bulemia. i used to have so much control over what i eat but now I seem to have lost it all and find it very difficult to stop eating. The bingeing is becoming more frequent and I'm finding it harder and harder to cope with the mental torture its giving me. My eating constantly fluctuates to the extremes, from heavy bingeing to purging and dramatic food restriction as a quick fix for overcoming the incredible guilt i feel. I am now at the heaviest weight i have been for years and the pounds are continuing to pile on rapidly as i struggle to fight the strong cravings for food. Please, I really need your help, things are keep getting worse and worse but everyone is under the impression that I'm fine and happy because im looking the most normal weight for my age and height that i have in years. If youd have spoken to me even a year back i would never have imagined this to have ever happened to me becuase i always thought i had such control over food. But seeing this happen to me and so suddenly i feel very scared and out of control! im at a loss as to what to do!
Ive been anorexic for many years but have gone from restricting to purging anorexia.I've recently had problems with swelling in my parotid glands and facially in general.This makes me feel worse about myself.Is it permenant?I tried stopping purging altogether but when i do this the swelling seems to just get worse and it's so upsetting.I just want it to go away.Is there anything i can do other than stopping the purging as this doesn't seem to be helping in any way at the moment.
Thank you for your help with this.
hi, i suffer from bulimia. I would love it if you could make a documentory on EDs, particularly bulimia, there is lots of info around about anorexia, but so little real info on bulimia. I think it would be massively helpful if more attention was payed to those suffering from this disorder as i personally feel very alone and ashamed.
i know what you mean katy im 16 and have been bulimic for 4 years when i first got help i was so scared as i had done it for such a long time i couldnt see me not making myself sick i still have days when i think im going to be sick but then i think ive worked so hard not too. ive never been to the doctor depending on how old you are i saw the counsellor at school which was hard but very worth while.
I've been bulimic for about a year, binging and purging multiple times everyday. I try to stop but it's so hard.. It's much more than just wanting to lose weight, it's an addiction, a copy mechanism. I don't think doctors or anyone will take me seriously though as I'm a "normal" weight. I feel so alone and crap but part of me won't let it go. Help? :/
is counselling a good start forward? or a waste of time?
need help though.
x
embrassing bodies team. PLEASE help us, and make a show on EDs i am bulimic not proud to admit it but im so scared my parents know but we never talk about dont know how or what to even say we are almost living a lie. im so scared. i know this is a mental health problem but im too young and i need support i just cant talk to anyone as no wants to know or want talk as they dont know how to start talking. PLEASE MAKE A SHOW :)
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