{"id":9035,"date":"2020-10-15T19:32:40","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T23:32:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/type1support.ca\/a-serious-eating-disorder-called-diabulimia\/"},"modified":"2020-10-15T19:32:40","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T23:32:40","slug":"a-serious-eating-disorder-called-diabulimia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/type1support.naracreative.com\/en\/a-serious-eating-disorder-called-diabulimia\/","title":{"rendered":"A Serious Eating Disorder Called \u201cDiabulimia\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Diabulimia is an eating disorder that is unique to people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A person is experiencing diabulimia when they are showing bulimia symptoms and voluntarily withholding insulin in order to have hyperglycemia-induced glycosuria (presence of sugar in the urine) and lose weight.<\/p>\n

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A common occurrence<\/h2>\n

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\n The prevalence of diabulimia among people with T1D is estimated at 6% to 7%<\/strong> and is higher among young people aged 15 to 30, particularly women.\n<\/p>\n

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Some people may occasionally exhibit diabulimia-related behaviours without receiving a diagnosis. In fact, 1 out 5 women and 2 out of 5 men will sometimes voluntarily restrict or withhold an insulin dose in order to lose weight<\/strong>, and as many as 40% of teenage girls and young women display the same behaviour. <\/p>\n

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How does it affect health?<\/h2>\n

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Diabulimia has significant physiological and psychological health impacts. The condition is associated with chronic hyperglycemia (high HbA1c level), which leads to a higher risk of infections (e.g., urinary tract, staphylococcus), vascular complications and diabetic ketoacidosis<\/a>, as well as a significantly higher mortality rate. <\/p>\n

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How do attitudes and perceptions of weight and insulin differ?<\/h2>\n

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Most people with T1D view insulin as an essential drug that allows them to control their blood sugar and prevent long-term complications associated with diabetes. People with diabulimia view insulin in a different, very complex way<\/strong>. They often have an emotionally charged relationship with insulin, and they experience feelings of guilt and uncertainty. They closely associate insulin with weight gain, which leads to a great level of anxiety. <\/p>\n

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What are the signs of diabulimia? What should I do if I believe I, or someone I know, might have it?<\/h2>\n

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Try and focus on your relationship with insulin. How do you feel and what are your thoughts when you inject insulin? If you feel that injecting insulin often inspires negative feelings (e.g., fear, anxiety), you should seek support from your loved ones and healthcare team. The following are other signs that you should watch carefully:<\/p>\n

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