Because many individuals with bulimia, maintain normal weight, it's harder to detect than anorexia.

The effects of bulimia
Bulimia often develops after anorexia. As weight increases to near normal levels, the anorexic becomes frightened of reaching a normal weight and realises that vomiting up food is a successful way of controlling weight without self starvation. It also avoids confrontations with parents, as the sufferer appears to be eating normally.

The effects of inducing vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics may cause serious health problems. The binge and starve cycle causes bouts of stomach pain, constipation and diarrhoea. More serious effects are kidney damage, epileptic fits and damage to the bowel from over-use of laxatives.

ADVICE TO FAMILIES
Bulimics have the same obsession with food and the same morbid fear of gaining weight as anorexics. The sufferer is engulfed in shame and self-disgust at what they see as their loss of control. This makes it difficult for them to talk about their condition, which they may deny. Parents should approach the issue with a degree of delicacy, with the aim of getting the bulimic to seek treatment.

Ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist clinic if possible.