Bulimia - blood pressure?

Question

a few questions about bulimia.

do you have to actually binge and purge to be diagnosed bulimic?

because i dont binge, i just purge after meals and after eating anything, so would the doctor not class me as bulimic?

also, im getting really spotty, which ive never really been before, and my vision goes funny sometimes- does this have anything to do with it?

and the one i was initially asking this question for:

today my dad took my blood pressure, and it said i have low blood pressure.

not dangerously low, but much lower than the average and ideal blood pressure.

could this be because of it?

thanks

and please dont leave unhelpful comments telling me simply to stop, as it is NOT that simple im afraid :(

Answer 1

Please go and see your friendly gp. Your body sounds like its crying for help..low bp and vision problems. It does sound like bulimia but a professional opinion is the way forward. best of luck, hope you feel better soon x

Answer 2

It's either ED-NOS, or if you fit the rest of the criteria (BMI < 17.5, no period, etc), Anorexia Nervosa--purging subtype

Really spotty--do you mean your period?  Yeah, that's the purging for you.  Your cycle is being messed up by the nutrition variance.  Funny vision could be the low blood pressure--does it happen often when you stand up?  Then it's probably orthostatic hypotension (fancy way of saying lightheaded when you change positions).  Anemia also--most menstruating women are.  Don't compare your BP to that of a "normal adult", though, especially if you're just a little under.  That given that's touted about is more standard for a 150lb, about 35 year old, and probably male.

Answer 3

Mabey you will just be diagnosed with EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwised specified).

Yes the spotty vision is related to it, might be to blood sugar levels.

And yes, be careful about your blood pressure, if you don't stop it will get worse (lower). You will begin to faint often if you don't stop and get low blood pressure and other troubles.

Please get help, its hard to stop on your own. Best wishes xoxo

Answer 4

It sounds like the diagnosis "eating disorder not otherwise specified" (aka EDNOS) fits you better than bulimia.  According to the DSM (the bible of psychiatry)  - "The regular use of inappropriate compensatory behavior by an individual of normal body weight after eating small amounts of food (eg; self-induced vomiting after...)" is considered EDNOS.

While you do not fit in the category of bulimia, it sounds like you do have an eating disorder, which causes a host of problems, including the ones you describe.  

It is likely that you are dehydrated if you are purging after eating anything.  This leads to low blood pressure (there literally is not enough blood volume to be pumped by the heart at a normal pressure because of the dehydration).  Dehydration and low blood pressure can also cause the funny vision, as your brain is not getting an adequate blood supply.  

I know simply stopping seems an impossibilty.  Been there.  You can overcome this and you are worth the effort it takes to do so.  Best wishes to you.  Please, stay hydrated.

Answer 5

It sounds like you have bulimia, I'm not going to tell you to stop. I'm telling you that you need help. You could rupture your esophagus rot have a heart attack. Your teeth will begin to rot, your glands will be swollen, you'll constantly have a sore throat. This disease can kill you.

Answer 6

yes your blood pressure will drop and your heartbeat will slow. from what you describe sounds like you suffer from anorexia with bulimic tendency.

i suffer from that and what you do describes exactly what i used to do and that's what i was diagnosed with. my heart rate had dropped to 38 beats per minute but my blood pressure wasn't too bad. i was pretty underweight at the time but you don't actually have to be very underweight to be anorexic. i did eventually get help, am still in therapy for it, its still a struggle, but i don't regret looking for help.

but the thing is, unless you want to get helped, there is no point in forcing you. i know from my own experience that it is you who has to want to get better, otherwise it's a waste of your doctors and your own time.

but still.... please consider it for the future.

i wish you the best.