Diabetes vs. an Eating Disorder is a Deadly Combination!

Fusing type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder is a dangerous combination. In order to lose weight, some individuals have realized that a “diet” of skipping their insulin shots while suffering from bulimia can lead to weight loss. The grave dangers of these actions, of course, are not taken into consideration. “Diabulimia” is becoming more common as people become increasingly obsessed with diabetic weight loss.

 

It is estimated that 450,000 American women with type 1 diabetes have either skipped or reduced their insulin in order to lose weight. This is one third of the total number of women with diabetes.

A few studies have shown that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop an eating disorder, which can be deadly. There is a thin line between watching your blood sugar levels, carbohydrates and diet in general, to an unhealthy relationship with food.

 

"Diabulimia"

Although the term “Diabulimia” isn’t recognized as a medical condition, the American Diabetes Association has known about the behavior for years.  “Diabulimics” have the same fear of insulin as the anorexic has of food. They know they must inject/eat in order to survive, but the terror or gaining weight overpowers all rational judgment.

The Risks of Type 1 Diabetes and Weight Loss

To skip or decrease insulin without a Doctor’s approval can result in falling into a coma or death. The consequences are serious and the need to lose weight can heighten the eating disorder behavior. In the long term, there are a myriad of complications that can arise: blindness, the need for an amputation, and kidney failure are the most critical.

How can you tell if someone is “Diabulimic”?

·                       they have type 1 diabetes

·                       a change in eating habits, a new diet or an obsession with food

·                       trips to the bathroom after meals to purge

·                       low energy and high blood-sugar levels ation

·                       a refusal to take insulin at the appropriate times

·                       chest pain, heart palpitations

·                       muscle cramps, lower back pain

·                       frequent bacterial infections