Home
Bupa members

Support and offers for individual members and customers

Bulimia Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, December 2008.

Answers to questions about bulimia

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

How can I recognise if someone I know has bulimia?

It can be difficult to notice if someone close to you has bulimia because he or she will often go to great lengths to hide the problem. People with bulimia usually have a stable body weight but some suffer from weight swings. If you're worried that your friend or relative has bulimia, there are a number of signs you can look out for.

Explanation

If your friend or relative has bulimia then you're probably already aware that something is wrong. There are a number of common behaviours that people with bulimia show, but it's important to remember that many of the signs of bulimia are present with other problems.

If someone you know has bulimia, he or she may:

  • Talk about his or her body weight or shape, and think he or she is overweight.
  • Appear pre-occupied with what he or she is eating and worry about putting on weight from the calories consumed.
  • Regularly make excuses to avoid eating with you or friends and relatives (eg tell you that he or she has already eaten or doesn't feel hungry).
  • Visit the toilet or bathroom immediately after eating.
  • Worry about money as he or she could have spent it on food for binges or laxatives and diuretics.
  • Exercise excessively.
  • Appear tired and anxious, particularly around meal time.
  • Become socially withdrawn or isolated.
  • Have a puffy face from swelling of the salivary glands from vomiting. He or she could also have worn-out teeth from vomiting.
  • Talk about what you should and shouldn't eat.

It's important that you keep an eye out for the signs of bulimia and, if you're worried about your friend or relative, then you may want to get professional advice before you express your worries to him or her.

Further information

Sources

  • Patient leaflets from the BMJ Group - Bulimia. BMJ Group, 2007. www.clinicalevidence.com
  • Eating disorders. Royal College of Psychiatrists. www.rcpsych.ac.uk, accessed 2008 10 October
  • All about bulimia nervosa. The Mental Health Foundation, 2000. www.mentalhealth.org.uk
  • Palmer B. Understanding eating disorders. Poole: Family Doctor Publications, 2000:51-55
  • Worried about eating problems and disorders? Young Minds, 2005. www.youngminds.org.uk
back to top

My friend has bulimia, what can I do to help?

It can be difficult to know how to help your friend who has bulimia, especially if he or she is secretive about his or her feelings. There are a number of things you can do if someone you know has bulimia.

Explanation

It's important you talk to your friend to get a better idea about his or her feelings towards bulimia. This will help you to understand what your friend is going through and how he or she is coping with the symptoms.

You may find it difficult to talk to your friend at first and he or she may become aggressive or secretive. This could be because your friend is worried about rejection or doesn't want to recognise that he or she has an eating problem. If your friend acknowledges he or she has a problem, you should encourage him or her to seek professional help. You could lend a hand with finding medical help and support groups. Your friend may find it helpful if you offer to book the appointment or accompany him or her on the first visit.

Try to make your friend feel safe and relaxed so he or she can be open with you. It's important you express your worries in a caring and thoughtful way. If your friend doesn't feel ready to talk, let him or her know that you will be supportive and continue to be a friend.

You may want to find out more information about bulimia. It can be helpful if you talk to other people who are in the same situation as you. You can talk about how it's making you feel and share your ideas of different approaches.

Don't blame your friend for his or her eating disorder, or persuade him or her to change. This may push your friend further away. It's important that he or she is in control of recovery. Don't rush your friend, because you may lose his or her trust. What is most important is letting him or her know that your support is always there.

Further information

Sources

  • Worried about eating problems and disorders? Young Minds, 2005. www.youngminds.org.uk
  • Understanding eating distress. Mind. www.mind.org.uk, accessed 24 July 2008
  • All about bulimia nervosa. The Mental Health Foundation, 2000. www.mentalhealth.org.uk
  • Patient leaflets from the BMJ Group - Bulimia. BMJ Group, 2007. www.clinicalevidence.com
  • Palmer B. Understanding eating disorders. Poole: Family Doctor Publications, 2000:51-55
back to top

I'm pregnant and I have bulimia, what can I do?

If you have bulimia whilst you're pregnant it can cause problems for both you and your baby. It's important that you seek medical help to reduce the risks associated with bulimia.

Having the correct support from professionals and people who care for you when you are pregnant is important. Don't be afraid to be honest and share your anxieties about your body, food or your emotions so that you can get the best advice and support.

Explanation

Having bulimia during pregnancy can put your baby at risk of low birth weight and you may be more likely to have more complications during your pregnancy. You're also at risk of suffering from postnatal depression.

If you have bulimia and you're pregnant, you may feel anxious about weight gain and change in body shape. However, you may find that your symptoms of bulimia improve during pregnancy, as you become aware of the harmful effects on your unborn baby. You should try to avoid vomiting, using laxatives or water tablets or diuretics as these may affect your pregnancy.

It's very important that you talk to your GP and allow professionals to support you throughout your pregnancy and after you have given birth. Your GP can give you appropriate advice about your pregnancy and notice any possible problems. He or she will refer you to an obstetrician (a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and childbirth) who will have experience with high risk pregnancies.

You should speak to your midwife and health visitor about your eating disorder. He or she can give you and your baby better support and help during and after your pregnancy.

You may be referred to an eating disorder specialist who will work with the other medical professionals supporting you, and give him or her specific advice and medical information about bulimia.

It's very important that you eat a well-balanced diet during your pregnancy so that you don't put your baby at risk of poor growth and development. You should speak to a nutritionist or dietitian about your diet during and after pregnancy. He or she will give you guidance on nutrition and can create a plan for healthy eating. He or she will also help you to get back to a healthy weight after you give birth.

Further information

Sources

  • Ward VB. Eating disorders in pregnancy. BMJ 2008; 336:93-96. www.bmj.com
  • Eating disorders & pregnancy: some facts about the risks. National Eating Disorders Association, 2005. www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
  • Pregnancy. Beating Eating Disorders. www.b-eat.co.uk, accessed 24 July 2008
  • Eating disorders. Pregnancy and the postnatal period. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 25 July 2008
back to top

Related topics

back to top

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: December 2008

 

Rate this page

Up to £100 off a Bupa Health assessment

Bupa health insurance

Free online health check

Bupa Care Homes

Bupa travel cover