Bulimia is a serious, sometimes life-threatening, eating disorder where people alternate between periods of excessive overeating (binging) and vomiting (purging). Purging, or the act of expending a large amount of calories quickly, can also occur in the form of excessive exercise or misusing diet pills, laxatives or other stimulants. It is also important to note that purging may occur after something as small as a light snack, or a normal-sized meal.
If you binge and purge, you may notice the following:
I believe that the cycle of binging and purging is a response to deep emotional pain or trauma. These behaviours can be a person’s best attempt to manage out-of-control feelings. Therapy can help and works best when people are also under the care of a physician and a dietician. Bulimia is a serious medical condition and counselling is not a substitute for medical care. I urge you to also connect with a physician and registered dietician, specialized in helping with eating disorders. If you are seeking treatment for the emotional, social and psychological effects of bulimia, I welcome the opportunity to meet with you.
Hard-hitting look at the diet orthodoxy and strategies for living in a fat phobic world. Author is a journalist and anti-diet registered dietician.
List of private master’s-level counsellors, or their interns, offering subsidized counselling. Updated quarterly.
Canada-wide, 24/7 professional phone counselling and other support options.
Resource list, updated quarterly.
BC-based organization offering prevention initiatives and intervention programs for those suffering from eating disorders and their families.
A resource list of lower-cost professional counselling options in Vancouver. Corrections and suggestions welcome.
National database for help in locating a registered dietician in your area.
Provides extensive information on eating disorders and food/weight preoccupation. Offers a telephone helpline: 1-866-633-4220