Parenting with Bulimia

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

Bulimia is a deadly mental illness that can severely handicap your ability to thrive in function in life. If you are a parent raising children, bulimia can interfere with your parenting abilities or prevent you from caring for your children in the manner that you intend to.

As a parent struggling with bulimia, you may realize that your behaviors are in fact impeding on your ability to parent, but despite the negative consequences that may result, you may still find yourself struggling to overcome this mental disorder.

Bulimia Treatment Requires Your Full Attention

Because bulimia is influenced by a variety of factors, including a person’s genetics, biology, and psychosocial factors, overcoming bulimia is an involved process that requires professional guidance and assistance.

While you might try your best to maintain your daily activities, the struggle with bulimia can be detrimental to your physical and mental health in the short and long term. Many individuals may be able to continue working, volunteering, and functioning as a parent, which can undermine their need for treatment.

Perhaps as a parent who is struggling with bulimia, you may question why you need outside support if you can maintain your current life with the disease.

Poor Coping Mechanisms and Bulimia

Many individuals will not continue in a destructive behavior unless it is somehow benefiting them. For the person with bulimia, the binging and purging behaviors may be a maladaptive way to cope with difficult circumstances or emotions that seem out of control. Whatever the reason, bulimia may serve as a coping mechanism to a person who is trying to parent and maintain daily activities in an environment that feels chaotic or overwhelming.

If you or someone you love is parenting with bulimia, it is crucial to seek out the care and support you need to recover. As a caretaker or provider for your children’s needs, you are likely afraid to seek out treatment for fear of what may happen to your children.

Some individuals might not know what would happen to their children in the case that they left for treatment. This fact alone can prevent an individual from seeking out the help and support they need for recovery.

Options for Treatment

There are many options for treatment that can be compatible with your home life, and it is important to explore what treatment options may be available to you for your recovery and wellness. Start by meeting with a professional who can help guide you through the process of recovery and healing.

A professional who specializes in bulimia recovery can help assess your condition and recommend a level of care that would be beneficial to you and your entire family.

Self-Care Becomes a Priority

Parenting with bulimia is not an easy feat. Though you may feel as though you can continue on with your current lifestyle while engaging in bulimic behaviors, the reality is that you will damage your life and the lives of those you care for the most.

While it may feel impossible to imagine being separated from your children for any length of time, making self-care a priority will enable you to be the best parent possible to your children. Imagine spending time with your loved ones without have your focus or energy consumed by food, or wondering when your next binge/purge episode might be.

Recovery is a journey that will require diligence and commitment, but the rewards reaped from the journey will allow you to be fully present in the lives of your children.

Finding Resources for Help and Support

If you are unsure where to seek treatment or support, consider utilizing the many resources that are offered on the Eating Disorder Hope website. Our treatment directory, for example, allows you to find specialists and centers within your vicinity. Take the first step towards healing by connecting with a professional who can help guide and support your journey. Your life is valuable and worthy of healing and recovery from bulimia.

Community Discussion! Share Your Thoughts Below.

Are you a parent who has struggled with bulimia? What tools or resources helped support you in your journey towards recovery? What encouragement might you share with other parents who are also struggling with bulimia?

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on June 19th, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com