Bulimia nervosa is essentially:
- an obsession with food and weight resulting in out of control eating patterns such as eating binges which involve the consumption of large amounts of food—these binges usually occur secretly and the person may feel a sense of loss of control or shame.
- attempts to compensate for binges and avoid weight gain by one or more of the following unhealthy measures: self induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fluid or diet pills, excessive exercise, periods of strict dieting.
Bulimic behaviour can continue for many years.
Symptoms and characteristics
Possible symptoms or characteristics of bulimia include:
- increased mood changes and irritability
- social withdrawal and isolation
- anxiety and/or depression related symptoms
- obsessive rituals such as eating certain foods on certain days
- excessive or fluctuating exercise patterns
- avoidance of social situations involving food
- fast eating
- hoarding food
- trips to the toilet after meals.
For more information on some of these symptoms and characteristics, follow these links:
Workplace adjustments and solutions
Support in the Workplace—It is best simply to encourage medical intervention or psychological counselling if it is suspected that an employee has bulimia. However, it is important to remember that for most suffers one of the hardest things to do is to admit to the problem. The next hardest thing for them is to accept professional help. Those with an eating disorder are often competent, independent employees who may not be comfortable sharing their feelings/concerns with others. They may also feel too ashamed or embarrassed to reveal to someone what they are doing. Try to be patient and understanding.
There are also solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Better Heath Channel 2010, Eating disorders, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 8 February 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Eating_disorders
Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria 2006, What is an Eating Disorder?, Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria, Glen Iris, viewed 8 February 2011, http://eatingdisorders.org.au/eating-disorders/what-is-an-eating-disorder.html
The Butterfly Foundation 2007, Fact Sheet: What is Bulimia Nervosa, Melbourne, viewed 8 February 2011, http://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/Uploaded_Files/CMS_Image/file/Bulimia%20Nervosa%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf