Bulimia Nervosa

Recognising the signs of bulimia can be tricky because people with this eating disorder often go to great lengths to hide their behaviour. However, there are some telltale bulimia symptoms to watch out for that might indicate someone is struggling:

• Frequent trips to the toilet after meals: This might be a sign of purging, especially if they disappear right after eating.
• Fluctuating weight: People with bulimia can have weight that goes up and down, but they may stay within a normal weight range, making it less obvious.
• Excessive exercise: Pushing themselves to work out excessively, even when they are tired or sick, to “burn off” calories.
• Signs of binge eating: Large amounts of food disappear suddenly, or hidden food stashes are found.
• Swollen cheeks or jawline: This can be a result of repeated vomiting.
• Scars or calluses on the knuckles: Often referred to as “Russell’s sign,” these can be caused by using fingers to induce vomiting.
• Tooth decay or sensitive teeth: Frequent vomiting can lead to tooth enamel erosion, causing dental problems.
• Mood swings: The emotional rollercoaster of bulimia can lead to unpredictable moods where you feel happy one minute and then angry or sad the next.

If you notice these bulimia symptoms, it is important to approach the person with compassion and offer your support. Bulimia is a difficult condition to face alone, and early recognition can be crucial in helping someone get the help they need.

Bulimia is a complex condition arising from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that accumulate over time. Understanding these underlying causes can provide insight into why someone may develop bulimia and why it can be so challenging to overcome.

Biological factors

If you have a family history of eating disorders, depression or anxiety, you might be more at risk of developing bulimia. This could be due to inherited traits that affect your brain chemistry or how your body responds to stress. In some cases, certain chemicals in the brain, like serotonin, that control mood and appetite might be out of balance, making you more vulnerable.

Psychological factors

People who struggle with low self-esteem, perfectionism or a need for control might be more likely to develop bulimia nervosa. Bulimia can also start as a way to cope with overwhelming feelings or stress. At first, it might feel like purging offers relief, a way to “fix” mistakes or regain control over emotions. But over time, this behaviour can become compulsive, turning into an inescapable cycle.

Environmental factors

We live in a society that constantly bombards us with images of unrealistic beauty standards, where thinness is often looked at as a sign of success and happiness. This can lead to immense pressure to conform, especially for young people still figuring out their identity. Experiences like bullying, trauma, child abuse or major life changes can also trigger the onset of bulimia as a way to cope. In fact, some research has found that between 21%  and 59% of eating disorder sufferers have experienced child abuse. These people tend to have more severe conditions that begin at a younger age.

The damage caused by bulimia can be severe, affecting everything from your physical health to your relationships. It is important to understand these dangers to fully grasp the seriousness of the disorder.

Physical damage

Repeated purging, whether through vomiting, laxatives or excessive exercise, can cause a range of health issues. Frequent vomiting can lead to serious dental problems as your stomach acid wears away the enamel on your teeth. Your throat and oesophagus can also suffer from constant exposure to stomach acid, leading to pain, irritation and, in severe cases, life-threatening ruptures.

The constant strain from purging can cause electrolyte imbalances, particularly low potassium levels, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, heart failure and even sudden death. Your liver and kidneys can become overworked and start to fail due to the stress of processing toxins and managing the severe dehydration that often accompanies bulimia.

Mental health impacts

Bulimia often comes hand in hand with anxiety, depression and obsessive thoughts about food, weight and body image. The cycle of bingeing and purging can often create overwhelming guilt, shame and a sense of helplessness that deepens these mental health issues.

Social and emotional consequences

Bulimia often leads to isolation as you try to hide it from your friends and family. Your relationships with all your loved ones can become very strained as they struggle to understand what’s happening to you, and you may start lying or making excuses to cover up your behaviours.

Long-term harm

In the long term, untreated bulimia can lead to chronic health conditions like digestive disorders, infertility, organ damage and severe malnutrition. The longer bulimia goes untreated, the more difficult bulimia treatment, the more difficult it becomes to treat, which is why recognising the damage early and seeking help is so crucial.

Treating bulimia is about healing both your body and mind, and it often requires a combination of approaches. At Banbury Lodge, Oasis Runcorn’s partner centre, we know that effective recovery is about addressing the deep-rooted issues that fuel bulimia.

The first step in bulimia treatment often involves stabilising your physical health which may include medical care to address any damage caused by bulimia. From there, rehab treatment becomes crucial for emotional and psychological recovery. This involves cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – which helps you change or manage thoughts and feelings that trigger bulimia – and other forms like family therapy and group counselling to provide extra support.

Nutritional counselling is another key component of bulimia treatment helping you build a balanced and sustainable way of eating. Finally, aftercare is essential to maintaining your progress, offering ongoing support through outpatient group therapy to keep you on the right track.

We understand the challenges that bulimia can pose and we are here to help you overcome them. Banbury Lodge’s expert team offers not just treatment but a lifeline, guiding you out of the cycle of bulimia and towards a brighter future. Don’t let another day slip by. Reach out to us now and make bulimia a footnote in a happy, healthy life.