Latest news with #bulimia
ABC News
2 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Midlife women with perimenopause suffer from a 'lack of awareness' when it comes to disordered eating
Warning: This article mentions eating disorders, disordered eating and restrictive eating practices. Sue Cody's decades-long battle with an eating disorder began when she was 22 years old and in love. That was when she suddenly became self-conscious about her figure. "I thought if I lost a bit of weight, he might like me more. But then it spiralled out of control," she says. Sue experienced bulimia, which lasted until she was 30. Now aged 57, she can see how the eating disorder has often reappeared during stressful times in her life, particularly once she reached midlife. "I was able to manage it while my daughter was growing up. Then when she left school and went to uni … I was going through what I'd never heard of before — perimenopause," Sue says. "My body was changing and … I kind of lost my purpose in life. [My eating disorder] spiralled out of control for about four years." Pre-existing disorders triggered by the hormonal and emotional changes of perimenopause are common among the patients that psychologist Janet Lowndes sees. "I also see a lot of people who tell me about what was happening to them as a late adolescent or early adult, and it's pretty clear they were experiencing an eating disorder back then, but it wasn't identified," she says. "Thirty years ago, that was at a time when eating disorders were far less recognised and less likely to be identified." The lead-up to menopause — known as perimenopause — often features a raft of debilitating symptoms that can last as long as 10 years. According to new research from the Butterfly Foundation, a national charity for Australians impacted by eating disorders, more than half of all women experience some level of body dissatisfaction during this time. Around 3.5 per cent of people in menopause experience an eating disorder. Sarah Cox is a clinical psychologist and the Butterfly Foundation's national helpline manager. She says the physical process of aging, hormonal changes and potential health issues can make people more vulnerable to the development of an eating disorder. "This stage of life can also bring a host of social pressures and change, from children moving away, divorce, loss of loved ones, the natural aging process, moving away from society's harmful 'young, thin' ideal and increased body dissatisfaction," she says. "Disordered eating behaviours may arise to cope with these changes." Ms Lowndes believes the diet culture message given to women in midlife is also to blame. "The whole multi-billion-dollar anti-aging industry tells women that their bodies aren't supposed to change," she says. "So, we see a lot of people who are really struggling with their body being larger than they want it to be and then getting into a diet mindset and dietary thinking that isn't helping their health and wellbeing. "I've been to women's health conferences where there is so much conversation around menopause and it's a very fear-based message: 'Be careful of weight gain around menopause'." She says the problem is that "some sections of the health industry" can then perpetuate this message of weight gain during menopause as "being the most terrible thing that could happen". It's a commonly held belief that eating disorders only affect young girls, a myth that specialists in the field are working hard to dispel. Around one in four people experiencing an eating disorder in Australia each year are aged between 40 and 59. Eating disorders can occur in diverse populations, including the LGBTQIA+ community and people from different cultural backgrounds, says Ms Lowndes. "The stereotype of who experiences a eating disorder, being the young, thin white woman — we now know that that is absolutely not the only person who experiences an eating disorder," she says. Ms Cox says there is also a "lack of awareness around eating disorders and body image concerns in mid-life and beyond". That prompted Gemma Sharp, the director of Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders, to develop an online resource for health professionals and those impacted by a midlife eating disorder. "Often the stories we've heard are people reaching out for support for eating issues in midlife and being met with, 'You should have grown out of this by now. You should know better by now.' And that is a completely inappropriate, unhelpful response," she says. It's something Sue has experienced at medical appointments. "When they ask if there is any medical history, I mention anorexia and they go, 'Oh, you don't look like the typical anorexic person', because I'm older," she says. She says when you get opinions like that, "it just makes you feel so much worse". "I had to fight tooth and nail for an inpatient programme and then once I was in there, I felt like I didn't belong because, once again, I was older and I was treated like I should have known better," she says. "I was only there for four weeks, but the whole time I was thinking 'I've made a mistake, I shouldn't be here'." While women and girls are disproportionately impacted by eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, it can happen to anybody, at any age. There's another complication: the similarity between perimenopause symptoms and those associated with an eating disorder. "Hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, bone density issues, body composition changes — these are all issues that can happen both in eating disorders and the menopause transition," Professor Sharp explains. "Not to mention mood disturbances. Some people have cognitive or concentration concerns, and often in eating disorders, the menstrual cycle is irregular or completely absent. "It can mean that women who are experiencing an eating disorder really don't understand that they're going through the menopause transition because their periods aren't regular enough to be able to tell. "So yes, that was something that came up very strongly in our research. Just complete and utter confusion as to what's going on in one's body." Sue is now in recovery but concedes it's a struggle. Experiencing an eating disorder has taken a profound toll on both her physical and mental health. A year ago, she fell and broke her ribs and she's developed an ulcer from the bulimia, which has meant having to take medication every day to help with indigestion. Recently Sue was also diagnosed with breast cancer. "I hate looking at myself in the mirror. I just want to smash the mirror every time I see myself because I just cannot stand the sight of myself," she says. "But when I think about recovery, I think about making memories with hopefully grandchildren and the rest of my family rather than lying on my death bed, full of regret for not having any happy memories at all." For support with eating disorders and body dissatisfaction call the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tom Daley reveals how a savage comment from one of his diving instructors led to him battling body dysmorphia and bulimia
Tom Daley has revealed that his issues with body dysmorphia and bulimia were triggered by a savage comment made by one of his diving instructors. The former Olympic diver, 31, candidly opened up about his struggles with body issues and eating disorders in his new documentary, Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds. He recalled how a shocking comment made by an instructor led to him obsessing over his weight and food. Tom explained: 'At the end of 2011 I was told that I would have to lose weight by our performance director at British diving, and that I was overweight and that I needed to look slimmer, leaner and more like I did in 2008. 'It was the first time where I felt that I was being looked at and judged not for how I did in the diving pool, but for how I looked. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I took then some quite drastic measures to make sure that the food did not stay in my stomach let's put it that way.' He candidly went on: 'A rational person would know that I wasn't fat, but that was all that I could think about in the build up to the Olympic Games. I had a diary that I would write in, and at the top of it, I'd write the date and my weight. 'I was kind of left on my own devices, and kind of left with that struggle by myself, because even when I was having these meetings with my sports psychologist, I didn't know how to bring that out, because every time I said it out loud, I knew it felt silly. 'But in my head, it was the biggest thing that I would always think about every day, every time I made a decision about what I was going to eat, if I was going to eat it and then get myself so hungry that I would end up eating so much and bingeing to the point where I was then so guilty that I then had to do something about that.' The gold medallist admitted that he felt 'very alone' and unable to talk to anyone about his struggles, because he felt as though men weren't supposed to have mental health issues. Tom said: 'I still feel like ashamed talking about it now, because, like, once you're on the other side of it, it seems so easy just to stop and ask for help, but when you're in it, you feel like you can't be helped. 'Guys didn't have eating disorders. Guys didn't have any problems with their mental health. 'Guys were meant to be these macho things that get on with anything and you just keep going. I was not that, I didn't know who I could talk to. He previously spoke of his early career struggles ahead of the release of his new Discovery+ documentary, Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds, in June (pictured in 2008) 'The running theme here is that I felt very alone in all of the things that I was dealing with.' Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others, according to the NHS. Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. according to the NHS. Tom previously reflected on his body issues earlier this year, telling Fashion Magazine: 'I had moments of real struggle. In 2011, my performance director told me that I was overweight and that I needed to look like I did when I was 14 - I was nearly 18 at the time. 'That was the first time I felt like somebody was looking at my body - not from a performance point of view but by what it looked like.' 'I struggled with all kinds of different issues around body dysmorphia and bulimia.' After retiring from diving in 2024, Tom has set his sights on projects including the upcoming knitting show with Channel 4, Game of Wool. The documentary forced him to look back on the good and bad of his Olympic career. The diver said he felt particularly alone as a man suffering from an eating disorder. He added: 'It was not something that men talked about. It was like, 'Well, that only happens to girls. So I felt very alone in that experience.' But while Tom was candid about the darker side of his athletic career, he said he is excited to tell his children about it. Tom shares two children - Robert 'Robbie' and Phoenix Rose - with his husband Lance Black. They welcomed the twins in 2023 via a surrogate. Tom said: 'There's so much archival footage that I've never seen before, so it was very surreal to look back on it. 'It made me very emotional, but I'm really excited to be able to show it to my kids in the future: 'This is what I did as an athlete and what I'm extremely proud of.'' The former diver turned knitting extraordinaire explained that over time, his priorities shifted towards his family. He added: 'By the time the Tokyo Olympics came around [in 2021], I realised I was more than just a diver. 'Between 2016 and 2021, I got married, we had a kid and my priorities shifted.' Touching upon his changing priorities, Tom said that knitting became a healthy distraction for him. He explained: 'During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; we had such severe lockdowns that knitting actually became my superpower. 'It allowed me to really stay present and have a healthy distraction.' WHAT IS BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER? Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others. People of any age can have BDD, but it is most common in teenagers and young adults. It affects both men and women. Having BDD does not mean you are vain or self-obsessed. It can be very upsetting and have a big impact on your life. Symptoms of BDD You might have BDD if you: worry a lot about a specific area of your body (particularly your face) spend a lot of time comparing your looks with other people's look at yourself in mirrors a lot or avoid mirrors altogether go to a lot of effort to conceal flaws – for example, by spending a long time combing your hair, applying make-up or choosing clothes pick at your skin to make it 'smooth' BDD can seriously affect your daily life, including your work, social life and relationships. BDD can also lead to depression, self-harm and even thoughts of suicide. You should visit your GP if you think you might have BDD. If you have relatively mild symptoms of BDD you should be referred for a type of talking therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which you have either on your own or in a group If you have moderate symptoms of BDD you should be offered either CBT or a type of antidepressant medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) If you have more severe symptoms of BDD, or other treatments don't work, you should be offered CBT together with an SSRI.
National Post
23-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Caroline Garcia says she is retiring from tennis, will play at her final French Open
PARIS (AP) — Caroline Garcia, a former U.S. Open semifinalist who has been ranked as high as No. 4, says she will retire from tennis. Article content Article content As she prepares to play at the French Open for a 14th consecutive appearance, the Frenchwoman said on social media that 'it's time to say goodbye.' Article content 'After 15 years competing at the highest level, and over 25 years devoting almost every second of my life to this sport, I feel ready to turn the page and open a new chapter,' Garcia said. 'That said, it's not quite over yet. I still have a few tournaments to play. The first one, at home, at Roland-Garros.' Article content Garcia, who has won 11 titles but is now ranked No. 145, will play against Bernarda Pera in the first round. Article content The 31-year-old Garcia first reached the No. 4 spot in September 2018. After several inconsistent years marred by doubts and injuries, Garcia took a break from tennis in March 2022 to nurse an injured foot. The pause brought dividends as she enjoyed a tremendous second half of that season with several titles, including at the WTA Finals, to go with her semifinal appearance at the U.S. Open. Article content Two years ago, she revealed in an interview with L'Equipe newspaper that she had to deal with bulimia for a spell, triggered by losses and pain from the lingering foot injury that affected her daily life. Article content 'My journey hasn't always been easy,' Garcia said on Friday. 'Since the beginning, tennis has meant so much more than wins and losses. It was love or hate. Joy or frustration. And despite everything, I'm deeply grateful for all that this adventure has brought me. For everything tennis has given me. For the strong, passionate, and determined woman it helped me become. But now, it's time to move on. My body — and my personal aspirations — are telling me so.' Article content
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I lied my way into getting skinny jabs but it was a BIG mistake - I'm still battling bulimia and even resorted to weighing myself after every glass of water, admits Nicola McLean
Nicola McClean has bravely opened up about her ongoing eating disorder and admitted that she was weighing herself after everything that she consumed at rock bottom. The former glamour model, 43, appeared on the most recent episode of Vanessa Feltz 's YouTube show, With Love, Vanessa, and they got chatting about the topic of weight. Vanessa, 63, asked Nicola: 'Have you ever had an issue with weight?' Nicola said: 'Yeah so I am a recovering anorexic. I'll be honest, I still do suffer with bulimia. 'It's very managed at the minute, but it's one of the ones I can't kick it, if I'm really honest.' Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. It can affect anyone and treatment may take time, but you can recover from it. According to Beat Eating Disorders, Anorexia is: 'A serious mental illness where a person restricts their food intake, which often causes them to be severely underweight.' She continued: 'The anorexia, I went down to under six stone when I had my second child. I wasn't eating anything, I'd weigh myself even after having water. 'I'd throw everything up that I did consume, even water. I ended up in a really bad way. 'As I say, the bulimia, I think it's an OCD as well, it's like when things get stressful in my life, it's my go to.' Vanessa was keen to know what her view on weight loss jabs are after medicine such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have become a popular tool for people in recent months to shed some pounds. Nicola explained: 'What I think about them is that I think that they are fantastic, obviously you're proof that they are and if they are done well and done correctly, they are so good.' However the star has highlighted how dangerous they can be, after she managed to get hold of some herself on social media. 'But I managed to get one over Instagram and I was doing it. 'For someone obviously, who has a mental health illness with eating disorders, it's absolutely the wrong thing for me to be doing. 'I should never have been given it. I lied to get it. 'But I should never have been given it, so I feel like if it's more readily available on the NHS, we can stop going down the dark route of getting them. 'If I'd have gone to my GP and said I feel like I need them. They would have maybe been able to say Nicola where are you at the minute with your eating disorder?' WHAT IS BULIMIA? Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. It can affect anyone and treatment may take time, but you can recover from it. The main signs of bulimia are: Purging may include making yourself sick (vomiting), taking laxative or diuretic medicines, avoiding eating for long periods of time, exercising excessively, or a combination of these. The main treatments are: Talking therapies, medicines (such as antidepressants, if you have another mental health condition) and support from a nutrition specialist Source: NHS Vanessa replied: 'They would. If you went to a GP and said "let's measure your BMI, you're not eligible for it I'm afraid." 'And you wouldn't have been able to get it.' Guest Anthea Turner asked: 'Why didn't you? What stopped you going to your doctor?' Nicola replied: 'Because I knew I wouldn't get one. 'I knew I wouldn't get one. 'I wanted one and un fortunately with any active addiction, you will manipulate to get what you want.' Vanessa asked: 'Tell me something, when you were actually taking the jabs, did you feel that the food noise went away?' Nicola confessed: 'Yeah. That is one thing. 'I think even my husband, who has been really great over my eating disorder, he understands the food noise. 'He doesn't have it, but he understands it. 'When I have, I've also had slimming pills from the black market, I've done everything that you could possibly done to lose weight. 'When you get that disconnect and to stop thinking about food... 'It's so nice. It's so nice. 'So to be able to have that for a month was amazing but I was very sick, my husband ended up throwing it in the bin, he was like this is no good for you. 'But the food noise, when you don't have that, it's so freeing.' Nicola last spoke about her eating disorder in 2021. The star spoke honestly about her struggle with anorexia and bulimia, claiming that she feels 'more loved' when she's unwell. As she reflected on where her struggles with the diseases, which she has struggled with since the age of 11, stem from, she explained: 'I feel more loved when I'm ill - it sounds so mucked up! 'But when I was at my smallest, when I was really anorexic, it was the most I'd felt loved. People would say, "Oh my God, are you OK?" 'And where I'm a big character, people don't ever think that I'm not OK. Sometimes that's hard.' Nicola went on to detail how being stuck in lockdown during the global pandemic has been 'horrendous' for her anxiety and has also impacted her eating disorder. She explained that during the first lockdown panic buyers had bought up all the food she would normally have eaten, leaving her family with just chicken nuggets as an option which she couldn't have. The Celebrity Big Brother star added that she felt 'done' because of the lack of food she was used to, and claimed she must have been the 'only person who lost weight' at the time.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jack Fincham gives relationship update on Chloe Brockett after their sixth split as he confesses he didn't tell her about his battle with bulimia
Jack Fincham has given an update on his relationship with Chloe Brockett after the couple recently split for a sixth time. The TV personality, 24, and former Love Island winner, 34, have had a tumultuous relationship over the years after first getting together in 2019. Jack, who has revealed he has been secretly battling bulimia for two decades, said he doubts his relationship with Chloe is over for good but doesn't currently know what is going to happen. Jack and Chloe moved into their first home together in May 2024 and even created a joint Instagram account to share their home updates. The reality star has now explained that he has moved back in with his mum while Chloe has 'moved out into her own flat'. He told The Sun: 'Chloe and I haven't been in a great place. I'm living at my mum's and she has moved out of the house we lived in and into her own flat. I don't know what will happen between us. I still love her. I doubt it's over for good. 'We've been through a hell of a lot in the past couple of years. I didn't tell her about the bulimia, it is a hard thing to discuss with anybody. Even Mum doesn't know. 'I am a very open bloke. I cry, I wear my heart on my sleeve, but bulimia, for a bloke, I didn't think it was something I could discuss.' Over the weekend, Chloe begun her new chapter in life as she revealed to her Instagram followers on Friday that she has the keys to her new place. Sharing a snap of herself opening the door to her new home, Chloe gushed: 'Today's a good day.. got the keys to my new place ✨.' It comes after Chloe took to her Instagram Stories last month to open up about living with a 'narcissist' for a year, although she didn't name anyone specifically. In now-deleted posts, she told her followers: 'I wasn't going to say anything but I'm going to say something. 'I think the scariest part about living with a narcissist is that they genuinely believe their own lies. 'So they genuinely believe the things they are saying and this version of themselves that they are presenting to the world is the true version because they see them day in and day out. 'I wasn't going to say anything but when you see this person just repeatedly projecting this absolute false version of themselves to the world. 'I had the pleasure of spending a year around this human that was nothing like the person they presented themselves. 'I just had to say something. I think narcissist are probably the most scariest people you can ever encounter in your whole entire life and just for so long I genuinely believed the lies that I was being told. 'I just woke up one day and was like "wow.. you're being lied to."' Chloe later took to her Instagram Stories to reveal that she had deleted the posts in question and said she would speak on the topic 'at a later date'. MailOnline has contacted representatives of Jack for comment. It comes after Chloe announced she is once again single and wants to 'focus on myself', as they both prepared to move into separate homes. Last month, during a Q&A session with her Instagram followers, Chloe was asked if she was still in a relationship. She responded: 'No I'm not in a relationship anymore... just want to focus on myself and the things that make me happy.' When asked if she was moving in with Jack, she explained: 'No I am moving to Brentwood on my own... I can't wait to show you all my little place it's so pretty.' In another Instagram Story, she added: 'I wanna give myself a cuddle after the last year I've had... only way is up from here'.
