Bulimia nervosa is a psychological condition. Bulimics often dislike themselves and dieting is unsuccessful. They have a need for control to restrict their diet and then they ‘cheat’ by binge eating, stating the cycle of bulimia: binging and vomiting (and sometimes using other ways to restrict weight, such as exercise or laxatives). The cheating feeds self-dislike and a destructive cycle ensues. The guilt is often fuelled by keeping the bulimia secret from partners and loved ones - sometimes for years.

Studies indicate that up to 1% of the population suffers from bulimia, but this may be underestimated as some studies indicate that up to 7% of young women consulting GPs show symptoms.
Generally, bulimics are aged 10 to 30, but they can also be outside this range. It affects women much more than men.

Bulimia came to preference when Diana, Princess of Wales, was identified as a bulimic in the 1980s. Other well known bulimics have included Elton John and Joan Rivers.

Anorexia nervosa (‘anorexia’), bulimia nervosa (‘bulimia’), and binge eating are eating disorders which many people think are a modern phenomena, but they’ve actually been around for centuries. Problems with body image are involved (often a feeling of being overweight, even though the sufferer may be normal or underweight) and often deep psychological issues underlie the condition. These issues then lead to the eating behaviours. Having an eating disorder can be a very lonely place, with many sufferers hiding the problem from partners and loved ones.

     If you want to discuss an eating disorder please phone 07967 189 412 to arrange a free Initial

Even though they may be severely underweight, anorexics have a belief that they are fat and there is a fear of becoming what is actually a normal shape or weight. Their own body image, shape, weight and food intake become distorted in their beliefs. Anorexics are characterised by some of the following: severe weight loss, misconceptions about weight and body size, an obsession with food and self-control, losing friends, excessive exercise, emotive behaviour, secret vomiting or purging with laxatives and a loss of menstrual periods.

Anorexia is estimated to affect about 3% of women at some time during their life, and women are much more likely to be affected than men (but growing).

Anorexics feel that any weight gain is a loss of control, and the underlying psychological issues need to be addressed.

Well known anorexics include Jane Fonda, Karen Carpenter and Lena Zavaroni.

Binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short space of time) may be ‘out of control’ eating, but it may also be a sign of something else, such as bulimia.

Eating disorders can respond particularly well to hypno-analysis. A typical client comment was ‘Not only do I appear to have overcome my eating disorder but my self-perception seems warp-free’. Phone John for a free Initial Consultation.