UNDERSTANDING BULIMIA DR POOKY KNIGHTSMITH

WHAT IS BULIMIA?

Bulimia Nervosa (bulimia) is an eating disorder characterised by a binge-purge cycle…

BINGEDuring a binge, sufferers will eat a large volume

of, often unhealthy, food in a short period

PURGE

After eating sufferers will try to purge their body of the calories they’ve consumed.

The most common forms of purging are:• Throwing up• Using laxatives• Using diuretics• Exercising hard• Restricting food intake

Strict dieting

Diet slips or difficult situation

arises

Binge eating

triggered

Purging to avoid weight gain

Feelings of shame and self-hatred

THE BINGE PURGE CYCLE

HARD TO SPOT

Secretive Illness sufferers are usually very ashamed about

their difficulties and work hard to hide them

Normal Weight Unlike other eating disorders, bulimia does not usually result in noticeable

weight gain or weight loss

WEIGHT FLUCTUATION

In some cases you may notice a weight fluctuation as purging only removes about 50% of calories –

so if a sufferer goes through a period of extreme binging and

purging their weight may increase compared to times when they are

managing their difficulties and bingeing and purging less.

LOW SELF-ESTEEM

People with bulimia usually have very low

self-esteem

They often feel ugly, fat and worthless and

think others are judging them on their

weight and shape

BULIMIA SUMMARY

I spent longer throwing up than eating. Every time I’d promise myself I’d stick to my diet this time, but I just

couldn’t do it.

• Binge purge cycle

• Roughly normal weight

• Fluctuation in weight (some cases)

• Low self-esteem, think they’re fat / ugly

Need more support?Dr Pooky Knightsmith specialises in mental health and emotional well-being in the school setting. She can provide training sessions or workshops for school staff, parents or students on a variety of topics.

For further information and free resources visit www.inourhands.com

Email: pooky@inourhands.com Twitter: @PookyH