by Rob Hadley

Created on: October 24, 2008   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

Understanding bulimia is far from simple. In my experience of working directly with bulimic clients I have noticed some unusual traits common amongst many of them. Generally, though not exclusively, they are female and for the sake of this article I will refer to them as such.

A bulimic woman often starts her relationship with the eating disorder feeling somewhat incredulous that she is doing this. She is surprised. It happens once or twice, and soon becomes an established binge/purge cycle'.

When she starts to eat, she describes it as a journey down a path that inevitably leads to one outcome. Purging. As she progresses, her path becomes increasingly compulsive. By the time she starts to purge, the process is one she looks forward to and feels a sense of gratification for. Purging is not a hardship. She looks forward to it, and feels a sense of relief by the time she does it. Simultaneously, it is something she finds frightening. Ironically, the fear of it almost adds to its seductive power. It has the attraction of being a taboo.

Acceptance of the condition follows, sometimes even an embracing of it. It is a coping mechanism, almost a friend. As her physical condition slips, she becomes afraid. A common question is how long does it last?". A bulimic friend asked me this very question today. She had been in a binge purge cycle for 6 months.

I told her, "I have one client who started at 15 and is now 45."

Treatment.

Many clients come to me having told their doctors they are experiencing difficulties. In many cases they are simply told to eat more. This solves nothing. I have successfully worked with many bulimics, and only one method works consistently.

The bulimic client needs to relieve herself of sources of anxiety.

"To change how you feel, change what you do."

If a source of anxiety is the family, remove the bulimic from the family. If it is her workplace, get another job. If it is undefined, change as much as possible.

There are a series of actions that generally help:

1. Hypnosis is a very powerful tool in the fight against bulimia. I provide self hypnosis help, and this is a huge help.

2. Get into an exercise regime that is moderate and group based. Yoga is ideal.

3. Have an action plan that comes into effect immediately she starts to binge. She will need to get out of her comfort zone, and put herself somewhere she can't purge. For example, in a coffee shop. Bulimics usually prefer to purge in a bathroom at their own home.

4. Develop relationship disciplines. She

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