When someone mentions eating disorders, people tend to think of dangerous or extreme dieting. Defining an eating disorder is not so simple, though. Disorders like bulimia are about much more than a quest to lose weight. If unchecked, bulimia can often develop into a toxic coping mechanism, or even an addiction.
The motivation to engage in this behavioral pattern surpasses the need to reach a goal weight or attain the ideal body type. The cycle of eating and purging is often linked to an act of control. It can stem from not feeling in control in other areas of life. For some people, purging is the only time they ever experience that sense of control.
Bulimia among Black Americans
Bulimia can affect anyone. The depiction of eating disorders in the media is usually centered around young white women. When stories are recounted on the TV or in magazines, those are the visuals and perspectives offered. Left out of the narrative are people of color, and especially Black men and women.
This is dangerous for many reasons. When the stories of Black men and women are not being shared, it promotes the false idea that eating disorders don’t even exist in this community. Individuals may then be less likely to recognize bulimic tendencies in themselves and others, and consequently less likely to seek help. And yet bulimia is in fact very common in this cohort. One study showed that Black teenagers are more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behaviors, but they are far less likely to be diagnosed.
The consequence of this in the medical world is even scarier. In another study, health professionals only identified concerning behaviors for Black women 17% of the time. In comparison, white and Hispanic women were identified 44% and 41% of the time, respectively. That means the women who did not get identified were, in turn, not given support.
It is also likely the reason that so few studies have explored eating disorders among Black Americans. What research does exist mostly focuses on women and not men. That’s why it is critical to know what this disorder looks like and to understand how to combat it.
A day in the life of a bulimic person
So, what does a typical day look like for someone with bulimia? First and foremost, people with this disorder often choose to eat alone. Those who live by themselves are able to eat and purge without alerting loved ones, whereas a bulimic person who lives with someone else has to be more secretive.
And in terms of eating habits, an average meal can often involve a lot of food. Unlike with anorexia, where people heavily restrict their food intake, those with bulimia eat as much as they want with the intention of purging it all later. Purging can take different forms. The most common type of purging is when an individual makes themselves vomit. Some people take laxatives or supplements to get rid of the food they ate, while others engage in excessive exercise to burn it off.
The average person may think this is a waste of money. But someone with bulimia doesn’t necessarily see it that way. Both the initial binge and the later purge can give someone with bulimia the sense of well-being they crave. They may “binge and purge,” as it’s called, several times a day. Everyone is different in how this disorder manifests, but they ultimately share the same goal: to not allow the food to be digested.
When bulimia takes over someone’s life, certain tasks that used to be simple are no longer so. One example of this is when an individual goes out to dinner with the family. What was once possibly a fun experience has now morphed into an anxiety-ridden ordeal. Imagine this scenario: You have to sit down for a meal and pretend to act normally when your eating habits are now anything but normal. You are expected to finish a meal in front of others—and keep it down, like everyone else.
Of course, you reject this notion completely and are already planning exactly how and when you will discreetly excuse yourself to go to the bathroom. First, you have to eat an acceptable amount of food in a fashion that no one will question. This process of acting and overthinking can be incredibly stressful for someone who is attempting to hide their bulimia from the world.
It may then come as no surprise that many bulimic people start to self-isolate to avoid judgment and questioning. They may decline invitations that they would once have accepted and avoid communication. At this stage, bulimia now starts to take over other areas of an individual’s life.
Finding treatment
Moving on from this way of life is not easy. After the body has spent so much time learning this behavior, it is hard for it to function differently. This is what makes this disorder so dire.
And seeing what this illness does from the outside without the ability to fix it is beyond painful. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to help someone, the most important thing to remember is that this is a mental illness akin to addiction; it won’t be a quick fix. But recovery is possible. As with any addiction, the process breaking this habit will take time.
There are many different types and levels of treatment. This is a highly individual disorder, and the treatment has to be every bit as unique. Because bulimia is so closely intertwined with mental health, part of the treatment plan usually involves seeing a therapist, as well as a dietician, who can help someone learn a healthy way of eating.
Support groups can also be extremely effective. Members can get to know other people who understand this disorder and get encouragement. For those who need more support, they may benefit from seeking help from an inpatient rehabilitation center, where there is more intense monitoring.
The process and outcome will vary from person to person. The key is that the individual with bulimia has to be able to acknowledge the problem exists to see the benefits of treatment. They cannot be forced into it.
In some cases, the damage may be so severe that it has become a matter of life and death and someone needs then has to step in. This is where an intervention of some sort may be necessary. At this stage, waiting for a bulimic person to be ready is no longer an option.
Noticing the signs of bulimia
If you believe a loved one or friend may have this illness, look for the signs. They may display certain patterns that are unusual, especially relating to eating. You might notice they are uncomfortable eating around other people. Some people may become preoccupied with food and dieting.
The stress that bulimic people put their bodies through is devastating and often irreversible. Damage to the esophagus, hair loss, tooth decay, ulcers, and osteoporosis are just a few of the many dangerous health effects of an eating disorder.
It can be more difficult to spot when someone has bulimia, as opposed to an eating disorder like anorexia, where the physical manifestations are often more obvious. People with bulimia come in all different shapes and sizes, and the physical symptoms are more generic. That’s why paying attention to the patterns they exhibit is crucial.
Confronting someone with bulimia is an extremely delicate matter. Depending on your relationship with this person, it might not be the best idea to approach them directly about it. It must be handled with great sensitivity and a well-thought-out plan.
Seeking help
As you read this, you may recognize some of the symptoms in yourself. If that’s the case, you do not need to suffer alone. Know that recovery is possible. There are national organizations that you can contact for resources and support:
Website: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Hotline: (800)-931-2237
For 24/7 crisis support, text NEDA at 741741
Website: www.anad.org
Hotline: (888)-375-7767