What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Bulimia’?
Perhaps you think it’s the same as Anorexia. Maybe to you, it’s a problem ‘skinny people’ have, a self-indulgent fad that people overcome when they enter adulthood. Maybe the word Bulimia means nothing to you, after all you’ve never struggled with not eating. In fact, you might think you could use some more self-control in this area.
Take all your pre conceptions about Bulimia and eating disorders, and put them aside. Because whether or not we are aware of it, approximately 3 per cent of the population struggle with Bulimia Nervosa, and eating disorders has the highest mortality rate of any mental health issue. Men and women, young and old; Bulimia can affect anyone. So what is it, and how can we know if a friend is simply dieting or is living with Bulimia or another eating disorder?
Bulimia is identified as an eating disorder where a person binges on food before purging it from their body. Some people will retain a cycle of binge and purge through forced vomiting, and others will manage their weight using extreme measures such as fasting, laxatives or dieting.
We don’t always understand why people participate in this behaviour, but it is important to remember that eating disorders are a mental health issue. Just like depression or anxiety, this illness comes with its own set of symptoms and side effects. Many people who struggle with Bulimia have an unrealistic image of their body and are intensely self-critical. Even though this is a serious illness, we often miss it because people who struggle with Bulimia are often perceived to be of average weight or over weight.
There are physical side effects of Bulimia that we can pick up on. This infographic by Healthline shows us what to look out for.
This blog was put together using information from Healthline. Look at the infographic below and visit their website for more information on Bulimia.
Do you struggle with Bulimia? Are you looking for a way to help a friend who has an eating disorder? Then here’s what you need to do: contact Colleen on 0434 337 245 for a FREE 10-minute phone consultation on how she can best help you, or press book now.
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