Bulimia nervosa
What is bulimia?
Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder. Eating disorder is the term used to describe a group of illnesses where someone has a distorted view of body image and extreme disturbances in eating behaviour. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are all different types of eating disorders. You may want to check out the factsheets on the left hand side of the page for more information on other eating disorders.
People experiencing bulimia go on regular eating "binges", which involve consuming large amounts of food in relatively discrete periods of time whilst accompanied by feelings of being out of control of one's food intake. The binge eating is usually followed by feelings of guilt and anxiety about becoming fat which results in a need to get rid of the food.
Common ways of getting rid of food may include:
- over exercising to burn the calories
- "throwing up"
- taking laxatives, diuretics or diet pills
- not eating for several days after the binge.
Bingeing may be used as a way of coping with anger, depression, stress and sadness.
Some of the common signs of bulimia may be:
- eating unusually large amounts of food
- being secretive about what is eaten and when
- visiting the bathroom after eating
- over exercising
- being very critical of one's self
- moody
- depression
- regularly tired/lacking energy
- sore throat
- decaying teeth
If you are experiencing a number of these things, it may be helpful to go and talk with someone you trust like a family member, teacher, counsellor or local doctor. Check out your local phone book or contact your local community health centre to find a counsellor or doctor in your area.
What causes bulimia
Like other eating disorders bulimia is a combination of physical and mental health difficulties and the cause is not clear. However, a number of factors may be associated with bulimia. These may include:
- physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- cultural emphasis on slimness
- preoccupation with body image ideals
- relationships with peers or family
- loss and grief
- brain chemistry
- physiological and psychological effects of dieting
- stress or coping styles
Suggestions for help
The reasons that people experience bulimia may differ from person to person and the options for treatment may also differ from person to person. Your local doctor, nutritionist or counsellor should be able to talk with you about what options are available and which may be best for you. If necessary they can also refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. To find a doctor or mental health professional see the beyondblue Directory of Medical and Allied Health Practitioners in Mental Health http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=107.1007
A counsellor or psychologist will talk with you about your food and weight beliefs and behaviours. They may also explore the reasons why you may have developed these beliefs and behaviours. This can be done in a group situation or in a one on one situation. It is a good idea to talk with your counsellor as to which is the best option for you.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the Nutrition Australia for editing this fact sheet.
Email this page
Not a member?
Join Reach Out to access a range of great member features.
Forgot your password?
30 Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Log in to join the conversation. Join Reach Out.
Rosie
3 days ago
Reply Report: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.
butterflybabe83
4 days ago
Reply Reportthankyou 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
Rosie
11 days ago
Reply ReportHello butterfly babe!
butterflybabe83
13 days ago
Reply Reportps thanks sorry i didnt say thanks
butterflybabe83
13 days ago
Reply Reporthi 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!!!!
Chanel29
about 1 month ago
Reply ReportThanks 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 :)
Cassie :)
about 1 month ago
Reply ReportHi Chanel,
Chanel29
about 1 month ago
Reply ReportHi 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 :)
Georgie-
3 months ago
Reply ReportHey not sure1990,
not sure1990
3 months ago
Reply ReportI'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.
Georgie-
4 months ago
Reply ReportHey KC123,
KC123
4 months ago
Reply ReportReading 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..)
Sophie RO crew
5 months ago
Reply ReportHi Lauren
lauren.011
5 months ago
Reply Reportmy 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.
healhunger
8 months ago
Reply ReportI 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
ma64
8 months ago
Reply ReportHi
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 :((
Roisin - RO Crew
9 months ago
Reply ReportHey there Logaan-x,
Roisin - RO Crew
9 months ago
Reply ReportHey Picies8382,
Roisin - RO Crew
9 months ago
Reply ReportHey there ICare,
ICare
9 months ago
Reply ReportI 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.
Pisces8382
9 months ago
Reply ReportHi 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 :)
Logaan-x
10 months ago
Reply ReportHey,
Roisin - RO Crew
12 months ago
Reply ReportHey 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
Echo Vanity
12 months ago
Reply ReportAfter 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...
Marianne - RO Crew
about 1 year ago
Reply ReportHey Jln
jln
about 1 year ago
Reply ReportRoisin - RO Crew
about 1 year ago
Reply ReportHi 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
Jillian
about 1 year ago
Reply ReportHi 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.
missmaree
over 1 year ago
Reply Reporthi everyone,
i need some suggestions on helping beating this disorder, i speak to people but it doesnt seem to help. ????
Roisin - RO Crew
over 1 year ago
Reply ReportHey 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