Bulimia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder that involves a cycle of bingeing and purging.

• Bingeing means eating a large amount of food in a short time (often within 2 hours) while feeling out of control — like you can’t stop, or like something else is in the driver’s seat.

• Purging is what happens after: trying to “undo” the binge through things like self-induced vomiting, compulsive over-exercising, fasting, misuse of laxatives, diuretic or other medications to avoid weight gain or ease guilt.

It’s not just about food — it’s often tied to deep emotional pain, body image struggles, and overwhelming guilt or shame.

Aside from bingeing and purging, people with bulimia often experience:

• Intense guilt, panic, or distress after eating

• Constant worry about body shape or weight

• Fatigue, bloating, or digestive issues

• Tooth sensitivity or dental erosion

• Irregular or missing periods

• Feelings of secrecy, shame, and isolation

Both disorders involve binge eating — but the key difference is:

• In bulimia, bingeing is followed by purging (like vomiting or fasting), driven by fear of weight gain and emotional distress.

• In binge eating disorder, there’s no purging afterwards — but people still feel out of control and often struggle with guilt and shame.

🔍 A trained medical professional or psychologist can make a formal diagnosis.

At Binge Free Dietitian, we support both bulimia and binge eating recovery.

➡️ Due to the higher physical and emotional risks involved, we highly recommend you're also working with a psychologist and GP if you have a formal diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa. This helps ensure your care is safe, comprehensive, and aligned with best-practice recovery.

Bulimia doesn’t just affect your body — it touches your mind, relationships, and daily behaviours. Here's how:

 Physical Implications

• Digestive issues like bloating, nausea, reflux, constipation — often mistaken for IBS or food intolerance

• Fatigue and low energy, from poor nutrition and dehydration

• Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, increasing risk of heart, kidney, and muscle complications

• Dental damage such as enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and gum problems (often from vomiting)

• Metabolic stress from the weight fluctuation due to repeated binge-purge cycles

• Hormonal disruptions – irregular or missed periods, PMS, PCOS, and fertility issues

• Sleep disturbances 

   

Psychological Implications

• Guilt, shame, and self-criticism

• Low self-esteem and body image distress, often driven by internalised diet culture

• Anxiety, depression, and emotional numbness

• Always think about food, diet, weight loss and meal plans

• Perfectionism and pressure to be "in control"

   

Social Implications

•  Eating in secret due to shame or fear of judgment

• Withdrawing socially or avoiding events that involve food or body exposure

• Strained relationships, from secrecy, mood swings, or loss of emotional connection

• Reduced intimacy and connection from food pre-occupation or body image distress

   

Behavioural Implications

• Compulsive or emotional eating patterns

• Rigid food rules or rituals, needing to eat in a certain way to feel safe or “in control”

• Obsessive thoughts about food, weight, and body

• Frequent body checking, mirror-checking, weighing, or comparing to others

• Neglecting personal goals or passions, as the binge-purge cycle takes over daily life

   

There’s no single cause — bulimia is influenced by genetics, environment, personal history, and cultural pressures. 

• Bingeing often happens as your body and mind try to protect you — from restriction, emotional pain, unmet needs, or trauma.

• Purging is usually linked to diet culture, fear of weight gain, and distress around body image — it may feel like a way to cope or regain control.

But this cycle isn’t your fault — and it’s not the only way to cope. With the right support, you can unlearn it.

There’s no such thing as being “not sick enough.”
If bulimia is costing you time, peace of mind, energy, health, or joy — it’s time to get support.

Ask yourself:
“What has this struggle taken from me?”
Your experience is valid — even if you don't meet the formal diagnostic criteria. Don't wait for it to get worse to start healing.

The best care comes from a team of eating disorder-trained professionals:

• A medical practitioner,

• A psychologist,

• And a dietitian working together.

✅ Eating disorder specialists understand the deeper layers — and can provide safe, inclusive, compassionate and trauma-informed care that really helps.

Not sure where to begin? That’s okay. Starting with any one of these professionals can lead you to the right team. One small step is still progress — and you deserve to take it.