Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa is known simply as bulimia. It is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition that affects anyone at any age, particularly young people aged 13 to 17 years.

When a person develops bulimia, they go through periods of bingeing on food in a very short amount of time. Afterwards, they make themselves sick, use laxatives (medicine to help them go to the toilet) or exercise in an extreme way, to avoid putting on weight.

There is not a specific cause of bulimia; however, the eating disorder can develop when a person feels out of control in their life and they use food to regain that control. People with bulimia often binge on food that is particularly bad for them, or they eat in secret away from others, before making themselves sick or taking a laxative.

Reasons why a person may develop bulimia can include:

having low self-esteem or lacking in confidence
wanting everything to be perfect in their life
fearing rejection or feeling inadequate
having a strong desire to gain approval of others
genetics – if a close relative has had an eating disorder, or mental health conditions run in the family
brain chemical imbalances

Seek urgent help if you have rapidly lost weight for longer than a few weeks, lost weight over three months, or think your eating is out of control. Speak to your family doctor (GP) if any of these happening to you or a young person you care for.

irregular or missed menstrual cycles (periods)
tiredness or lethargy
constipation, bloating and stomach pains
sore throat and/or damaged teeth – this is caused by regular sickness after eating
puffy face, swollen hands and feet

Many people with bulimia stay the same weight, however a common symptom is weight loss or frequent weight changes.

It is common for a person with bulimia to feel guilty or ashamed after eating, especially after bingeing. They may also:

have a distorted body image – they see themselves as being fat even when they are underweight
be fixated on their weight – this means their thoughts are focused on the food they eat and their body weight
have anxiety and/or lack self-confidence and self-esteem
feel numb, irritable and moody
be stuck in a cycle of feeling out of control and trying to regain control

Support and treatment are available through CAMHS for children and young people with specific eating disorders. If you have concerns about yourself, your child or young person, we would always advise speaking to your family doctor (GP). They will ask you about your eating patterns, about your history of weight change and will ask to check your physical health. They may also suggest you have a referral to CAMHS.

Early support and treatment are recommended for people with eating disorders. This is why itis important to speak to your GP if you or people around you are concerned about your eating.