Diabulimia Awareness
Posted on: November 4th, 2017
Imagine being afflicted with an eating disorder and type 1 diabetes simultaneously.
It’s called Diabulimia and it’s more common than people, including medical professionals, realize. Studies show that 40% of all young women between the ages of 15 and 30 with type 1 diabetes live with the condition. What’s more, as many as 60% of women with type 1 diabetes will have experienced an eating disorder by the age of 25.
People with Diabulimia deliberately limit the amount of insulin they inject in order to lose weight. Type 1 diabetics don’t produce enough insulin naturally so they must inject themselves with it, otherwise the body can’t process glucose and break down sugars from food to use as energy. Without enough insulin, the body is forced to use its existing fat, muscle and organs for energy. Even if the sufferer is a healthy weight, the potential consequences of avoiding insulin include eye damage, kidney damage, fertility problems, amputation of limbs, heart failure and even death.
What makes Diabulimia so insidious is that the eating disorder becomes the primary driver of behavior. The desire to lose weight and create a perfect body (which is unachievable) is so powerful that they ignore the serious complications resulting from unmanaged diabetes. In other words, losing weight becomes more important than potentially going blind.
Recovering from Diabulimia is possible, but usually professional help on three fronts is needed:
Medical – The endocrinologist needs to be told that the individual is purposely taking less insulin than prescribed so they can closely monitor the effect it’s having on the body. They should also reemphasize (in a compassionate way) how dangerous it is for type 1 diabetics to limit insulin.
Nutritional – A nutritionist should be seen regularly. They will create an eating plan that’s appropriate for someone with Diabulimia. This typically includes a balanced diet (that may include supplements) with enough calories to gradually get the individual back into a healthy weight range. They can also help reestablish normal eating patterns, advising when meals and snacks should be eaten throughout the day.
Psychological – Therapy is critical for those with Diabulimia. Typically the therapist will focus on family and friend dynamics, school and work life and any traumas that may have been experienced. Therapy can help alleviate depression, anxiety, body image and self-esteem issues, all of which perpetuate eating disorders.
If you or someone you love is suffering with Diabulimia seek professional help immediately. Contact Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy at 973-313-1691 or info@maureenkritzerlange.com.
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