BULIMIA

Bulimia is a mental health condition and an eating disorder.

On the left, you can see the common symptoms of bulimia, eating a lot then feeling guilt for doing so, then going to throw it up because you think you look overweight and therefore have to get rid of what you have eaten.

Bulimia is often very hard to see in someone else unless you are around them when they are throwing the food up, but usually people with bulimia are very secretive, as they don’t want people to know what they have been doing as they feel such guilt for it.

My twin sister experienced bulimia, and she has allowed me to share her story.

It was very difficult seeing my sister get so paranoid about her weight, when to me her body looked so good and was slim and toned and didn’t need changing, but to her she looked fat and would constantly be asking me if she looked ok. She became so paranoid and I couldn’t understand why, until one day I was with her in her flat and we both ate a big takeaway, and I could see her getting agitated, and she kept asking me to take the food down to the bins, but I told her I would take them when I was leaving. This was a moment I will not forget, as she burst into tears and ran to the toilet, and I obviously was so shocked and confused, and I heard her trying to make herself sick and I ran in and stopped her and had to hold her in my arms unil she stopped crying. She finally told me she had been doing this for months, and she didn’t know what to do. She had been seeing a dentist as well privately as every time she threw up the stomach acid would break her teeth down. It was awful to hear that she had been suffering and I had no idea, and as soon as she then spoke about it she knew she needed to get help. When she did get help she was so much happier, and she is now confident in herself, and no longer suffers from it!

It is so hard to notice the signs, even me with my Twin I thought I knew the ins and outs of her life as we are so close, and yet I still didn’t see the signs. It is so important that people remember the symptoms and if they see any of them occurring, to try and help before it gets so severe they become really ill.

‘Bulimia affects more girls and women than boys and men.’

‘Bulimia affects more girls and younger women than older women. On average, women develop bulimia at 18 or 19. Teen girls between 15 and 19 and young women in their early 20s are most at risk. But eating disorders are happening more often in older women.’ (https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa)

In this day and age social media has made body image such a big deal, as people are constantly comparing themselves to others, especially young women who want to look like the women portrayed on social media, on television and in magazines. Bulimia is occurring due to people thinking they don’t look good enough and then it becomes an obsession and creates eating disorders like this.

If you or someone you know is suffering from bulimia you must see your GP as they will be able to provide you with information and treatments. On the NHS website it says that : (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bulimia/)

‘They’ll ask you questions about your eating habits and how you’re feeling, and will check your overall health and weight.  ‘

‘If they think you may have bulimia or another eating disorder, they should refer you to an eating disorder specialist or team of specialists. ‘

‘It can be very hard to admit you have a problem and ask for help. It may make things easier if you bring a friend or loved one with you to your appointment.’

Treatment is through Therapy which helps a lot as I’ve seen first hand as my twin had therapy to help her. Sometimes it can just go away if you’re able to stop the habit yourself, but if not then seek help.

A Helpline you can call is :

Beat – adult helpline on 0808 801 0677 or youth helpline on 0808 801 0711

(https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk)