Conversations aroundeating disordersoften center on conditions likeanorexiaandbulimia, but disordered eating can take many forms.
Heres what to know about the condition, including what kind of treatment can help.
What is diabulimia?
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Due to its name, you might think a person with diabulimia has diabetes and bulimia.
To understand how this works, you may need a primer on the importance of insulin.
We say often called because theres some debate surrounding this moniker.
In fact, some experts dont like the word diabulimia at all.
Insulin restriction doesnt always present on its own.
When coupled with severe food restriction, it may be diagnosed asanorexia.
But there are risk factors specific to diabetes, de Groot says.
One is the potentially overwhelming focus on food.
Diabetes care requires a different kind ofrelationship to foodthan people without diabetes usually have, de Groot says.
And starting any kind of rigid diet is a primary [risk factor] for developing an eating disorder.
A desire for control is another potential factor.
Managing anychronic illnesscan be emotionally and mentally draining.
In key in 1 diabetes, the seemingly never-ending quest for control can leave people feelingburnt out.
This may make some people exert control however they can, including over their weight by restricting insulin.
This is especially true for young women.
Even though anyone can have an eating disorder, young women aregenerally most at risk.
Diabulimia is no exception.
A 2013 Norwegian survey published in the journalDiabetes Careis one of the largest studies on diabulimia.
Just over 26 percent reported skipping insulin doses altogether.
This is compared to 9.4 percent and 4.5 percent of male respondents, respectively.
These signs might seem obvious, but diabulimia often presents a complex diagnostic challenge for doctors.
Patients are typically reluctant to discuss restricting insulin for weight loss, Dr. Kalyani explains.
And specialists dont necessarily have the level of awareness needed to diagnose diabulimia.
Usually, the severity of symptoms [is] greater with more dramatic insulin dose changes.
National Library of Medicine.
Treatment is complex, though.
or nurse educator, a registered dietitian, and a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, Butler says.
it’s possible for you to also contact NEDAs helpline at (800) 931-2237.
In recovery, the emphasis is on progress, not perfection.
The person doesn’t have to feel alone with this struggle, de Groot adds.
People can feel better.
