Bulimia is a serious eating disorder and mental illness, not a lifestyle choice. People affected by bulimia will eat lots of food in a short space of time. This is called ‘binging’. Following a binge, they will try to remove the food from their body through vomiting, taking laxatives, or exercising a lot. This is called ‘purging’. Someone with bulimia will go through these stages of ‘binging’ and ‘purging’ regularly, creating an unhealthy behaviour cycle. Click here to read more about bulimia, and the different variations of this illness.

Often people with bulimia will go to great lengths to hide their illness, which can prolong their sickness and further damage their long-term health.

Characteristics of bulimia

• Eating lots of food (known as binging) in a short space of time (e.g. two hours)
• Followed by compensating behaviours (also known as purging) like vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, or drugs.

During periods of binging, a person may feel out of control or unable to stop themselves from eating. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame which motivates the next stage of compensating behaviours. If these behaviours are repeated over time, it can cause an individual to constantly obsess over food, weight loss and their body.

To learn more about bulimia watch this video, and to understand the physical impact of bulimia you can watch this video. 

How is bulimia different from anorexia?

Bulimia and anorexia are eating disorders that can have a serious impact on your health but the behaviours associated with each are very different. Anorexia involves the restriction and control of food intake. 

Why do people suffer from bulimia?

It’s complicated. But there are a range of factors that can influence the potential for someone to develop an eating disorder like bulimia. Some known risk factors include:

• Genetics
• Psychological factors
• Socio-cultural factors 
• Society (magazines, celebrity culture, school, friends, family)

Other risk factors are:

• Self Esteem
• Negative Body Image
• Dieting
• Extreme weight loss goals

Click here to read more about eating disorder risk factors. 

Is it possible to recover from bulimia?

Yes. No matter how long someone has been living with bulimia it is possible to make a full recovery, but it will take time and commitment. Bulimia is a complex illness with strong emotional links. Someone with this illness may struggle to think clearly. With the right help from professional medical staff and a considered recovery plan, anyone can return to full health.

Listen to this Ted Talk by Rayo Cole who has recovered from bulimia and is now sharing her story. 

Where to get help

If you think that you or someone you know might have an eating disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. Recognising that there is a problem is an important first step. A GP (or general practitioner) can be an excellent starting point and they will be able to refer you to specialists in this area.

• Your GP will be able to help and refer you to a specialist who helps people overcome conditions like this all the time. 
  • If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with a trusted adult, check out our post on ‘Going to the Doctor on Your Own’ for more info on making an appointment and finding a doctor that suits you. 
• Visit the National Eating Disorder Collaboration website for more information on help in your local area.
• Beyond Blue is another free, confidential counselling service, with trained professionals available to talk through your situation.
• The Butterfly Club has wonderful resources and a national helpline: 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email.
• Kid’s helpline and Lifeline are also wonderful resources.