Trigger warning: this article discusses a clinical eating disorder.
Purging disorder is an eating disorder that is diagnosed when a person purges to influence body shape or weight but does not binge. It can be thought of as bulimia nervosa without the bingeing. Many assume that vomiting is the default form of purging, and, whilst it is one of the most common forms, laxative and diuretic misuse are also common. Some people also engage in other behaviors to compensate for eating, including excessive exercise and extreme fasting.
While it is not as well-known as other eating disorders, purging disorder is a recognized eating disorder. It is critical to remember that eating disorders are among the deadliest mental health conditions as they can cause significant harm to both physical and mental health. If you are experiencing symptoms of an eating disorder, remember that you are not alone, and that help is always available.
Purging Disorder versus Bulimia
Bulimia is a serious disorder that often occurs in a cycle of binge-eating behavior followed by a period of purging. While bulimia and purging disorder both share purging behaviors, the main difference between the two is that there is a compulsion to binge eat with bulimia. Purging disorder is defined as engaging in purging behavior without it being in response to a binge-eating episode.
Symptoms
Purging disorder can be identified by many symptoms that overlap with other eating disorders such as –
- Recurring episodes of purging behaviors to lose weight
- Significant emotional distress or disruption to social work or personal life
- Fear of gaining weight or an obsession with losing weight
- Self-esteem issues heavily influenced by body shape or weight
You can be any shape, age, size, gender, or race and have an eating disorder, which is why it is important to recognize the symptoms before your health is adversely affected. Stereotypes that eating disorders only affect teenage girls are both incorrect and damaging and is a notion that can often discourage people from seeking treatment. Although eating disorders are more than twice as prevalent among females (3.8%) than males (1.5%), men are also at risk of developing eating disorders with research suggesting that purging disorder is increasing at a faster rate among males than females.
Causes
There are broader factors that might contribute to higher rates of eating disorders among certain people. Sexual and physical abuse or participating in appearance or weight-focused sports are potential risk factors. Other risks factors include depression and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, traumatic events, stress, and frequent dieting.
Although studies suggest that eating disorders are common during late childhood and adolescence, eating disorders can occur at any time in life with the lifetime prevalence of eating disorders being 2.7%.
Treatments
Eating disorders are a serious mental health condition – not a choice. There is no shame or embarrassment in seeking help.
Treatments for purging disorder can vary based on each person. Some people may benefit from more intensive inpatient treatment and recovery programs, while others might prefer outpatient therapy options. Inpatient treatment is more common in cases that require medical monitoring or daily assessments. Outpatient treatment might include psychotherapy and nutrition counselling, depending on the severity of the disorder. Medications are not used to treat purging disorder, but they may be prescribed to treat subsequent mood disorders that may be causing additional stress or making it more difficult to cope with recovery.
Recovery
Recovering from an eating disorder is possible but may take time. Be patient with yourself over the course of your recovery and do not let one setback demotivate you. Everyone is different, and healing is an ongoing process – healing is linear.
Perhaps consider continuing therapy, journaling, or joining a support group to help you recover. Relapses might happen, but you are not a failure if they do. Help is always there to get you back on track.