Bulimia in the Workplace: When an Eating Disorder Jeopardizes Your Career

Bulimia nervosa is a severe psychiatric illness that is characterized by a chaotic relationship with food and body. Individuals who struggle with bulimia typically struggle with a vicious cycle of binging and purging, where large amounts of food are ingested in a short period of time and then purged through compensatory mechanisms, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, etc. Sadly, bulimia in the workplace can cost you your career.

Because of the many factors that influence bulimia, including genetics, neurobiology, and environmental effects, the cycles and behaviors associated with bulimia require help for intervention.

Many individuals who struggle with bulimia may attempt to “control” their behaviors in order to continue living their lives with as few interruptions as possible. Since there is often shame and guilt associated with bulimia, people who struggle with this mental illness will often try to keep up with their lives as normally as possible to avoid giving the impression that anything is wrong.

However, because of the severity of the symptoms that result from bulimia, it often becomes more difficult for a person to uphold their responsibilities.

Employment and Bulimia in the Workplace

Bulimia often significantly impacts a person in their job and workplace. A person who is dealing with bulimia in the workplace may find it a struggle to think clearly or rationally, make appropriate decisions, or cope with the demands that may be faced on the job.

The side effects of bulimia can leave an individual also facing physical fatigue as well as mental exhaustion, a combination that can severely hinder work potential. If you have struggled with bulimia, you may find that your relationships with coworkers have become strained or that your overall desire to strive in your work has diminished.

You have likely found yourself preoccupied with food in the majority of your day, either worried about what to eat, what to avoid eating, or perhaps in planning your next binge. Individuals with bulimia may also experience higher incidences of anxiety and depression, which can affect the ability to function in the workplace.

You may feel as though it is necessary to continue working, even in spite of the illness you are struggling with. However, it is important to understand that you cannot excel or reach your potential when you have not dealt with and treated the bulimia. Consider reaching out for help with a professional who specializes in eating disorders to determine the best course of treatment for your recovery.

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Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her nutrition private practice.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 17, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com