Bulimia nervosa

:D That is really great news! Maybe you could write down everything you want to talk about before you go, because it can be difficult to remember it all once you get talking (or at least it does for me!). There are some tips here about seeing a GP that might be useful too.

thankyou i am going to go to my GP tomorrow to get a referal for a dietician and get a mental health plan done.. enough is enough i thought i was in control but i have realised i need the support i am ready to fight but at the moment i think i need the extra support if that makes sence thanks again cheers

Hello butterfly babe! 

ps thanks sorry i didnt say thanks

hi all i hope you are all well i was just wondering how to stop the negative thoughts after consuming food? i eat once a day then it starts you should have not eaten that. your fat etc. while i am eating something says  you cant do this so i vomit. i was wondering how i can stop this as it is getting me down!!!!

Thanks Cassie

I will go to my GP and seek some advice and hopefully they can direct me as it seems to be getting worse.

Thanks again for your advice :)

Hi Chanel,

Hi All

I am 29 and I think I may have bulimia. I am really embarressed about this because I still have body image issues which I thought I might overcome with age, but that is not the case.

I have been dieting for the last 7 months and I had been really dedicated with my diet and exercise regime. However, about a month ago I have been binging after dinner on chips, chocolates, biscuits etc and then feeling so guilty that I have done that, that I go and make myself vomit until everything I have eaten comes out. I am doing this once or twice a day and Im really starting to hate myself because of it. I feel like I have lost control of the situation and I am really disappointed in myself because now I have put on half a kilo. I know that this isnt much but I am meant to be losing weight not putting it on.

Can you please provide me with some advice on how I can overcome this or who I can go to for help. I am not sure what is triggering it so I am not sure what to do.

Thank you :)

Hey not sure1990,

I'm not sure what to write here. THere is so much I want to say, so much I wish someone could help me with... but I don't think anyone can. I am SO tired. Just, so tired of life. I don't know where to start, but I feel like I'm kind of sinking and reaching out for anything. I'm already seeing a psychiatrist and a counsellor so i really shouldn't be on here wasting everyone's time. But I want an answer. I went through I guess an anorexic phase a couple of years ago. I say it like that because I don't like to label it when I feel like it wasn't bad enough to deserve that title. I just can't eat 3 meals a day. That's stupid. But it matters to me, because I can't. I can't wrap my head around it i can't let me eat meals, or it feels like it's official. like i'm officially ok now, and I don't like that. I can't let go of it. This makes no sense, I know, I'm sorry. I don't even expect anyone to read this. I've had depression, and they've talked about borderline personality, and whatever. I 'attempted' suicide... more an attention seeking scheme than anything. stuff all that. just talk about food. i can't make myself vomit, I wish I could but i'm too scared. So I take laxatives instead. I  try to only eat dinner, but sometimes I just can't stop eating... I don't vomit it up, I take laxatives, and not enough probably to be classed bulimic or something like that... so no-one can change anything, but I just want to feel 'normal'. I want to feel like it's OK to eat like normal people. To eat meals. I don't know how. And I wish someone could help. 

Hey KC123,

Reading everyones stories makes me feel a little better.. I have suffered from all kinds of eating disorders for the past few years. I binge eat, and then either don't eat the day after or exercise for hours, and occasional vomit. It happens mostly when I am stressed, but I'm sure there are other things that trigger it. It makes me feel so out of control and helpless. I also LOVE food, and all the wrong kinds, so being in a supermarket is sometimes extremely overwhelming. I really want to try and beat this myself, without going to anyone for help.. but thus far its proving to be to hard to do on my own. None of my friends or family know, and I feel like I can't burden them with my problems (every one has their own things to deal with). Would be nice to talk to someone (maybe someone who is going through the same sort of thing..)

Hi Lauren

my dad recently just attempted suicide, and ever since i found out i feel lost. and too make myself happy iv been binge eating drinking lots off water and vomiting up too 2 times a day. i feel stupid talking about it with anyone, and i know its not the right thing too do but i just dont know whats going on.  

I understand the confusion anxiety depression & loneliness that bulimia causes because I’ve lived through it for 12 years, struggling with myself every single day to control my food intake. My most severe periods of body/self abuse involved a daily routine of binging twice then purging twice before consuming 120 of the strongest laxatives available. For eight years I was on the recovery trail and slowly my bulimia turned into binge eating disorder where I got stuck for 6 years before healing completely at age 29. I am now 30, healthy happy and wise & effortlessly anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder free. I no longer struggle with myself over food and weight issues because I’m in touch with my emotions.

Hi there heal hunger,

I just wanted to let you know that I had to edit your email address out of your comment as it goes agiainst our community guidelines.  You can check them out here:

http://au.reachout.com/connect/house-rules/

Thanks so much for sharing your story.  It is truly inspiring and I am sure it will help others.

All the best

Roisin - RO Crew

Hi
I am an older person in my 40's and i suffer from bulimia well at least that is what i think it is. I binge eat then vomit or use laxettes to get rid of the stuff i have eaten. I also exercise constantly everyday i go to the gym then i come home and go for a run or walk. I never really thought of it until recently when i got weighed and found that i am putting weight on not losing it. This is really screwing with my head i dont know who to turn to as i am older and this is usually labeled as a young persons disease i have booked in to see my doctor next Monday    :((

Hey there Logaan-x,

Hey Picies8382,

Hey there ICare,

I feel guilty for this, knowing that I am reaching out to others before I reach out to my daughter. I am a worried mum ( ICare)  I have always thought that I have a very open relationship with my daughters, but I am also aware that there are things they may not want me to know about and I respect that. However I know that my eldest Daughter could be going through an eating disorder, and I guess I have to thank my gut instinct and observations that I was able to pick it up now and think about the best way to approach it. WHY am I reading this page and reading all the very honest comments individuals have posted? because I know as a mother I need to consider how I approach this so I can ensure I don't push my daughter away or make her feel more guilty about how she feels. I have made an appt with a counselor initially for myself to discuss, but I cant wait for that and so I researched some books, and logged onto this site to see what facts and suggestions there may be. I see from some of the comments that for most individuals you do want us to get it talked about?, you do want our help?

Do I talk to her about it initially to open up the subject, shall I write a letter to tell her how much I care, Do I print off the fact sheet and leave it with her to read and then come and talk to me when she is ready?

 I know the signs, I have been watching her for  3- 4 weeks now and all the jigsaw pieces fit together and my daughter has Bulimia. I am sad, I am worried and most of all ICare and want to help my daughter. I just dont want to make her angry and push her away. She is so beautiful, clever, intelligent, caring, considerate, humble and I would lay down my own life to protect her.

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say that I found this page really inspiring. It's only been for the past couple of months that i've started binging and then purging and I thought I had it totally under control. I knew it was silly and thought, like others on this page, that I could stop it if I wanted to and it was just a means to maintain my weight. I did a lot of low carb fads prior and knew they weren't sustainable so when I stopped that, I turned to this. I started out only doing it maybe three of four times a week, but now it's got to the point where i'm doing it two or three times a day. I was adamant that I didn't have an eating disorder until I saw my knuckles were inflamed and cut and I had bruising on my chest. My parents are going through a marriage separation, my fifteen year old dog died the other week and i'm just really unhappy and low in self esteem. I don't know whether or not they're related or why I do it, but either way it's taking a hold of my life and i'm scaring myself.

It feels so good to put my feelings in writing, so thanks for providing the space to put it all out there. I'm seeing a psychologist, but she doesn't really specialise in eating disorders so i'm seeing a GP tomorrow. I've told two close friends but not my mum yet and I have no idea where to go from here. I'm 19 and feel like I should be beyond this. I never thought i'd be the type of person to do this to myself but I guess life has many surprises.

I don't really know how to handle this so your advice and insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much again :)

Hey, 

Hey Echo Vanity,

It is really great and a very positive step that you have recognised that your current behaviour is unhealthy. Even posting on here was a  brave step so you should be really proud of yourself. 

Have you thought about speaking to someone about everything you are going through?

A really great place to start is headspace.  They are specially set up for young people and have heaps of friendly staff who will understand what you are going through. They will be able to help you come up with strategies to deal with all of the stuff you are going through in a healthier way.  All you have to do is drop in to your local centre or give them a call and thier services are usually free.  You can find out heaps more info including where your nearest centre is and even take a virtual tour at thier website: http://www.headspace.org.au/

If you don't feel up to speaking to someone face to face why not try Kids help line on 1800 55 1800.  They are super freindly and happy to talk about any issue no matter how big or small it amy seem.

Both kids help line and headspace have free web and email counselling.  Here are the links: https://www.eheadspace.org.au/,
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/

Did you know we have heaps of personal stories written by other young people who have been through similar thing to you.  why not check out this story written by a young woman about how she has dealt with her eating disorder:
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/bottling-things-up

I also reccomend this section of our site which explains in heaps more detail how you can find help relevant to you: http://au.reachout.com/find/getting-help/who-can-help-you

Keep reaching out

Roisin - RO Crew

After reading this, I realised I probably have bulimia...I thought it didn't count if you didn't make yrself vomit, but i "purge" by starvation for at least a day after...This has been such a wake up call...

Hey Jln

For a long time now i have hated my body and size. Growing up i was always big but it was out of my control (was from medication for RAC) till i was about 17 then i started losing the weight. At first i was happy and things were fine for a while then i had my first child (21YO) and i got back to my weight i was before falling pregnant and then lost a few more kilos which was great then i had my second and the same thing again, ended up smaller after bub then i was before getting pregnant. I was the smallest i had been since, well never had i been that small since i was a younge girl. I was still not happy though. being bigger growing up with all the torment that comes with it has really distorted the way i look at my body. I am now only 48-49kilos and i am abusing my body. I binge and purge from once a day to non stop. it started with laxatives about a yr ago and has gradually got worse. I know i need help but i am to embarrassed to seek it. I have told my husband and one friend about it and know they desperately want me to get help before i get worse and end up in hospital or worse. i keep thinking right im gonna get better ill be fine and start taking control then i see my weight creeping up and i freak out and start the cycle again. It is so time consuming tiring and just plain horrible and i have had enough.
I also struggle as i still think i look fat as i have loose stretched skin from being bigger and having kids, i hate it and i know that loosing weight wont get rid of it but for some reason i keep trying.
My whole way of thinking has really changed in about 6months. i went from wanting to just be fit and healthy to i want to be a twig with not an ounce of fat. I think i just get use to the way i look each time i loose weight so start thinking i look big again and need to loose more. Its weird and i feel out of control. How can i get help so i can be happy and healthy for my children husband and me but without ppl knowing.
i am worried that soon i will start purging when not binging more often, i do that when im having a really bad day. It makes me drop weight quicker. It needs to stop though, i cant get work pants small enough and ppl keep commenting on how unhealthy and skinny i look so i know its getting bad.
I feel like i need to be taken to somewhere and made to sit there and tell them whats happening or i may not go, im to scared ppl will make me get fat. Its my biggest fear.
I just want to be healthy and a good role modle for my beautiful children, i dont want them growing up thinking that size makes you a person. I want them to never feel how i do.

Hi Jillian,

It sounds like you are going through a pretty tough time but please remember that you are not alone there are heaps of services and people out there just waiting to help you. 

You have done a really great thing by coming on here and reaching out for help, it was really brave and the right thing to do :)

If you thought's and behaviour around eating are at the stage where they are interfreing with your everyday life ( and it sounds to me like they may be) then you need to speak to someone about everything you are going through.

Speaking to someone will help you sort through your feelings, get things into persepective and release tension.  A professional will be able to help you come up with strategies to help you deal with your strong emotions of guilt ect.. in a healthier way.

A really good place to start is your local GP or school counsellor.  These professionals are trained to help with a whole range of issues and can give you advise and refer you on to services that will be able to help you in your local area.  Here are some fact sheets with lots of useful info about GPs and school counsellors: http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/local-doctor-or-general-practitioner-gp, http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/school-counsellors.

If you do not feel up to speaking to someone face to face why not give kids help line a go on 1800 55 1800.  They are super friendly and 100% anomynous and confidetial.  You can call anytime of the night or day free from a land line or pay phone. 


I really hope that this info helps you and that you remember that you are not alone - you just need to connect with people who will listen to you and help you with what you are going through.

Keep reaching out

Roisin - RO Crew

Hi everyone,

I need some help, I don't to keep doing this to myself, but I think its become uncontrollable.  I thought I was a sensible girl and could reverse it myself, though it appears not.  For the last few months I have had extreme bursts of binging followed by guilty feelings, lots of exercise and diet restriction, and often the use of laxatives.  I feel like Im alone in this because my friends wouldnt understand and my mum used was trying to help but now she just gets angry and thinks im being stupid.  And  I know its not normal and Im trying to help myself but that just seems to be failing me.  What can I do? Please its ruining me.

hi everyone,
i need some suggestions on helping beating this disorder, i speak to people but it doesnt seem to help. ????

Hey B23,

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling bad about yourself at the moment and that yop are not finding your psycologist helpful. 

It is important that you keep seeing someone about everything that you are going through, especially if you are feeling bad about yourself.  If you really think that you don't connect with your counselor, that's ok and this doesn't make you "unhelpable". They may just be the wrong person for you and someone else might be better. Lots of people have to change until they find someone that clicks with them.  Maybe you could discuss this with your psycologist at your next visit?

You have already shown how brave and strong you are by asking for help and coming on here for advise as well :)

keep reaching out
Roisin - RO Crew