Eating & Body Image
Bulimia Nervosa
Cycles of binge eating followed by purging through vomiting, laxatives or over-exercise, usually with shame and a normal body weight.
What it can feel like
- Eating large amounts quickly, feeling out of control
- Purging, fasting or compulsive exercise afterwards
- Preoccupation with weight and shape
- Sore throat, dental erosion, swollen glands
- Secrecy and shame around eating
Not everyone has every symptom, and you do not need a label to deserve support.
Things that help
Eat regularly to break the cycle
Restriction and long gaps set up binges. Three meals and two snacks, at predictable times, is the foundation.
Delay the purge
Even 10 minutes of delay weakens the automatic link between binge and purge. Extend it gradually with support.
Write down the trigger, not the calories
Tracking what happened just before a binge reveals patterns you can change.
Want to actually do these? Save them to your practices and tick them off as you go.
Add to my practicesWhen to reach for more support
CBT for bulimia is well evidenced and often guided self-help is the first step. Ask your GP about eating disorder services.
Often looked at together
Anorexia Nervosa
Restriction of food intake driven by fear of weight gain, leading to significantly low body weight and an intense focus on control.
ARFID
Very limited eating driven by sensory sensitivity, low appetite or fear of consequences such as choking, rather than by body image.
Binge Eating Disorder
Recurrent episodes of eating a large amount in a short time with a sense of losing control, without purging, followed by distress.