What is bulimia?
Bulimia is an eating disorder where you eat a large amount of food in a short time and then try to get rid of it afterwards. This is called ‘bingeing’ and ‘purging’, and it’s a cycle that can be hard to control. It’s not the same as occasionally eating too much, and it’s not just about weight or appearance. Anyone can struggle with bulimia, no matter their gender, size, age, ethnicity, or background.
Bingeing (or binge eating) is when you eat lots of food very quickly. During a binge, you might feel like you can’t stop eating, even if you want to. It can feel out of control and very distressing. Bingeing isn’t enjoyable and can leave you feeling upset, ashamed or numb afterwards. You might not even remember what you ate.
Purging is when you get rid of the food from your body. After a binge, you might feel guilty or anxious and try to ‘purge’ to cope with those feelings. Purging can mean:
- making yourself sick
- fasting (not eating for a period of time)
- taking laxatives (drugs that make you poo) or diuretics (drugs that make you wee)
- exercising too much
Purging might make you feel like you’re regaining control, but it can be very harmful to your body and mind. If you’re using purging to cope, it’s important to find safer, healthier ways to deal with difficult emotions.
Bulimia is a serious condition, but with the right support you can learn to manage the symptoms and get yourself into a healthier place.
Signs and symptoms of bulimia
If you’re struggling with bulimia, you might notice symptoms that affect your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and your body. These symptoms can affect you over a short or long period of time. Here are some things to look out for:
These symptoms can show up in how you feel and act when bulimia starts to take over your thoughts or daily life:
- thinking a lot about food, exercise or your weight
- exercising too much
- pulling back from friends
- feeling overwhelmed or like things are spiralling
- not sleeping
- feeling off or struggling to control your mood
- not being interested in the things or people you care about
- your whole life revolving around eating and purging
These symptoms happen because of purging (like making yourself sick or using laxatives) which can put a lot of strain on your body:
- sore throat
- dehydration
- bad teeth (from vomiting)
- heart problems
- muscle spasms
- swollen glands
- frequent trips to the bathroom after eating
- constipation (not being able to poo)
These come from the overall impact bulimia has on your body, like changes in eating patterns, stress hormones, poor nutrition and the general strain on your system:
- your weight going up or down
- bloating
- change in periods
- feeling weak and tired
- stomach cramps
Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have bulimia. If you notice any of them, speak to your GP who can give you a full diagnosis. If your symptoms don’t match a diagnosis for bulimia, you might be diagnosed with another eating disorder instead. Whatever your diagnosis, you deserve to get help and feel better.
Getting help and support for bulimia
If you're worried you have bulimia or are struggling with it, talk to someone you trust, like a friend, teacher, counsellor, faith leader or family member. This is a good first step to getting the support you need. Here’s how you can get help:
Speaking to your GP can feel scary but it’s an important step. They aren’t experts in bulimia, so they can’t treat you, but they can help get you the support you need. They’ll ask you questions about your eating habits, how you’re feeling and your symptoms. They’ll also do some physical investigations and may ask to weigh you – if this feels difficult, it’s okay to ask not to be told the number.
Your GP will then refer you to a specialist eating disorder service, a psychiatrist, or another expert who can help. If they don’t offer you a referral, it’s okay to ask for one.
In England, if you’re over 18, you can refer yourself to community eating disorder services. Some services have long waiting lists so aren’t accepting self-referrals. Beat can help you find your nearest eating disorder support service.
Talking to other people who understand what you’re going through can really help you feel less alone.
Kingfisher groups, run by Beat, are safe online spaces for anyone living with bulimia or worried they might have it. The groups are confidential and moderated, so you can share as much or as little as you want.
They take place every Wednesday from 6:45pm to 7:45pm, and you can join as often as you like.
If you’re in education, you can access support through your school, college or university counselling service. Speak to whoever’s in charge of student wellbeing so they can support you to get treatment.
Treating bulimia
Treatment for bulimia takes time and looks different for everyone. It usually starts with understanding your current physical and mental health. From this, your treatment will be tailored to what you need. Treatments can include:
- talking therapy
- working with a dietician
- support from a mental health team
- medication
Your appointments will usually be at a clinic, but if you have serious health problems or doctors are worried you might be at risk of hurting yourself, you might need to stay in hospital.
If you ant to read more about looking after yourself with an eating disorder, Beat has a list of helpful books you can read.
Supporting someone with bulimia
If someone you care about is struggling with bulimia, your support can make a big difference. You can’t fix things for them, but being there and helping them find professional support can really help.
Here are some ways to support someone with bulimia:
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Get help now
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Beat
Offers information and support for anybody affected by eating disorders.
One-to-one web chat available. They also run a range of online support groups, which are all fully moderated and anonymous.
Enter your postcode in the HelpFinder to see what eating disorder support is available in your area.
View their information on helpline accessibility and confidentiality.
- Opening times:
- 365 days a year - weekdays (9am - 8pm); weekends (4pm - 8pm)
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Youth Access
Provides information about local counselling and advice services for young people aged 11-25.
Put in your location and what you need help with into their 'Find help' search, and see what services are available in your area.
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Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
This page was reviewed in December 2025.
It was co-created with young people with experience of bulimia.
We will next review the page in 2028.
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