Break Free From Bulimia Nervosa
Understand the Cycle of Binging and Purging 

Sometimes, people with Bulimia Nervosa just cant say why or when it took a hold of their lives. They might feel completely confused as to why they continue behaving in ways that they want so desperately to stop, yet still feel compelled to do.

Knowing that many others feel the same and behave the same way as you do can bring some degree of comfort, as can knowing that it IS possible to break free from the condition.

And having an understanding of the cycle of binging and purging that is so often central to Bulimia can help immensely in being able to break free from that cycle.

I give here an example of how that cycle might work, but please remember it is just ONE example. Everyone will have their own unique and individual story, but perhaps you will be able to identify with the basic theory suggested here.

You might be able to adapt it to more closely reflect your own story, and then be able to use it to see how, perhaps by making changes in some of the stages of the cycle, you can break the chain of behaviour.

You can stop one thing necessarily leading onto another.

Yes it is easier to say than to do. But, by building up your understanding, and by taking that understanding forward with you, you can make steady progress towards a life free from Bulimia Nervosa.

Notes to the Bulimia Nervosa diagram:

There are so many different and very individual emotions all wrapped up in Bulimia,it is difficult to generalise, but here are a few illustrations about emotional influences around the binging and purging cycle:

*1) Binging or 'comfort eating' can temporarily dull the pain of negative emotions. This is due to the effect on blood sugars, endorphins and other brain chemicals (and you can learn more about this in this website). This helps to partly explain why we feel that food and emotions are so closely linked (as well as the developmental and psychological reasons).

The areas of the brain that respond to blood sugars and endorphins are even in the SAME area of the brain that deals with the emotions! So its no wonder we 'comfort eat' sometimes, because the connection and effect is very, very real!

When people talk about their binge eating, they often describe going into a trance like state, which is this dulling of the emotions to an extreme level, called 'dissociation'.

*2) People often describe feeling 'cleansed' after purging. It can provide a powerful feeling of release from confusing, negative emotions that are otherwise not expressed. This can lead to a psychological 'addiction' to purging, and as vomiting is much easier on a very full stomach, a sufferer can end up binge eating IN ORDER to purge afterwards, as it is the feeling of emotional release and relief that they are dependent upon.

Using any of the purging behaviours actually makes it HARDER to resist binge eating. This is because the thought is always present (even if subconscious) that "if I do over-eat, then I can always make up for it afterwards by vomiting or taking laxatives" or whatever is the method of purging someone chooses.

This is another factor that maintains the behaviour, even if the sufferer is trying to stop.

And sometimes in Bulimia Nervosa, the purging is a conscious choice, used for this same reason, as the sufferer believes they can eat what they like and still control their weight without having to worry about eating healthily or increasing their exercise.

*3) Binging and purging can also be a persons form of self harm, where the behaviour might be felt as a punishment, closely tied to a sufferers extremely low self esteem. If someone does not feel they are worth very much, and as society places such high value on appearance and being slim (especially for women), so the sufferer goes back on the diet, and the cycle continues.

It can be seen how the binging and purging cycle so characteristic of Bulimia can be so self-perpetuating, and as a result, can continue for many years if the right kind of help is not found.

The rest of this website will hopefully give you plenty more information and insights, to help "complete the jigsaw" and help support you to make more positive changes, empowered by your new knowledge and understanding!