Embarrassing Illnesses

Bulimia nervosa (usually referred to just as bulimia) is an eating disorder. The condition was first recognised as an eating disorder in 1979.

Who is affected by bulimia?

Bulimia can affect both men and women but, statistically, women are 10 times more likely to develop bulimia than men. However, bulimia is becoming more common in boys and men.

Recent studies suggest that around eight in every 100 women will have bulimia at some point in their lives. The condition can occur at any age but it often starts around the age of 19. Bulimia can affect children, but this is extremely rare.

Bingeing and purging

Eating disorders can sometimes be difficult to understand. Everyone has their own eating habits â€" for example, people with a food intolerance need to avoid eating certain foods in order to stay healthy. However, the habits of people with eating disorders are motivated by an overwhelming fear of getting fat.

People with bulimia tend to alternate between eating excessive amounts of food (bingeing), and making themselves sick, or using laxatives (purging), in order to maintain a chosen weight. This is usually done in secret. People with bulimia purge themselves because they feel guilty about the binge eating, but the bingeing is a compulsive act that they feel they cannot control.