When you think of Sir Elton John, some things that may come to mind are his songs rocket man, candle in the wind or his contribution to the lion king movie soundtrack. Some may also be aware of his mental health challenges with alcohol and drugs, but fewer are aware of the troublesome relationship he had with food for over 16 years. Sir Elton struggled with Bulimia Nervosa, and he wasn’t alone, with his long-term friend Diana, Princess of Wales also struggling with Bulimia Nervosa.
Bulimia nervosa, like anorexia nervosa, is a serious eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of overeating (binge eating) followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors to avoid weight gain, such as purging (vomiting), laxative use, or excessive exercise. It is important to define a what a “binge episode” is.
A binge episode is the consumption of a large amount of food (e.g., high calorie palatable food) over a rapid period, where the person feels they have lost control over their eating. In other words, once they start, they can’t stop eating. The large consumption of food can lead to a shift in emotions, where the person feels shame and guilt on the cessation of the binge episode. These negative emotions may lead to compensatory behaviors to undo the consumption of food. Typical compensatory behaviors are: (1) vomiting, (2) excessive exercise or (3) use of laxatives, illicit substances, and diuretics.
Like anorexia nervosa, preoccupation with shape and weight concerns seem to be at the center of these body image concerns. Bulimia often involves cyclic patterns of binging and purging behaviors, where this pattern of behaviors can occur several times per week to even daily. It is also important to note that bulimia can lead to physical health concerns like dental problems and mood disturbances.
The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa is estimated to be around 1% - 1.5% of the population. This means that approximately 1 to 1.5 out of every 100 people may experience bulimia nervosa at some point in their lives. Bulimia nervosa is more commonly diagnosed in females than in males. While it can affect both genders, the disorder disproportionately affects women, with a higher female-to-male ratio. Bulimia nervosa often develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, although it can occur at any age. The peak age of onset is typically between 18 and 21 years.
Treatment for bulimia nervosa typically involves a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder. The goal of treatment is to help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Here are some key components of treatment for bulimia:
