“My darling baby girl”: How family, friends and the InsideOut eClinic helped Zoe recover from bulimia nervosa
Zoe was diagnosed with bulimia nervosa in 2012, at age 20, although she had been experiencing symptoms for the previous eight years.
Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent binge-eating episodes - consuming unusually large amounts of food in a short space of time - followed by compensatory behaviours (1). Accompanied by a sense of loss of control, binges are often followed by feelings of guilt and shame. (2)
It is far more common than many realise.
In 2023, more than 125,000 Australians were living with bulimia nervosa, and a further 233,948 were experiencing binge eating disorder (3)
A Hidden Illness
Zoe suspects her eating disorder was shaped by several factors during her teens, including the pressure of competitive sports and a turbulent relationship.
“I’ve spoken to a few psychologists who explained there was no clear root cause of my eating disorder, but rather, a mix of factors,” Zoe said.
Zoe describes her eating disorder as all-consuming, with some of the toughest moments occurring when she appeared physically healthy on the outside, but was still profoundly unwell on the inside.
“There were times I was really unwell, but appeared to be a ‘normal’ weight, so no one knew. In some ways, that was even harder because people just assumed my health had improved.”
This reflects a broader reality: people with bulimia nervosa can remain within a ‘normal’ weight range, meaning their illness is often overlooked or misunderstood. (4)
Zoe says that social situations often triggered intense anxiety around food – specifically what and when she would eat – and led to secretive bingeing, crippling shame, and a relentless cycle that imposed a heavy toll on both her work and personal life.
“Social events were exhausting. I’d stress over when and what to eat, then binge in secret while trying to find a way to leave. My bulimia nervosa consumed my work, my focus, and my entire life,” said Zoe.
Seeking Help
As Zoe’s physical and mental health began to decline after relocating from Tasmania to Sydney, it was the concern and encouragement of close family members that gave her the courage to seek help from a GP.
She was eventually diagnosed with bulimia nervosa and worked with a doctor, counsellor, nutritionist, and psychologist.
“When I was in the thick of it, things were getting worse. I had just moved to Sydney and was very unwell. I remember receiving a message from my mum that began with ‘my darling baby girl.’ That’s when I realised my family knew I wasn’t well and were ready to do whatever it took to get me professional help,” said Zoe.
Nationally, eating disorders are both common and deadly. In 2023, 1.1 million Australians were living with an eating disorder - that’s one in 23 people, or nearly 5% of the adult population (5)
Recovery with the InsideOut eClinic
Zoe’s recovery wasn’t linear. She experienced relapses over many years. However, her openness with friends and family gave her crucial support and allowed her to remain accountable.
“My journey to recovery wasn’t linear. I had to take it minute by minute, hour by hour. Every time I reached a milestone, I’d relapse. Each relapse felt harder than the last one, because I thought I had been making real progress,” Zoe said.
As part of her recovery, Zoe participated in InsideOut Institute’s eClinic after learning about it through Instagram. The eClinic is Australia’s first free, fully online national treatment hub for eating disorders, offering flexible, self-paced programs including BEeT for binge eating and bulimia nervosa.
“The BEeT program was incredibly helpful. It’s free, let me progress at my own pace, and having support from my mentor made all the difference during my struggles,” said Zoe.
“One BEeT activity which really stuck with me was eating a food that was challenging for me in public. I ate a burger in public which really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but in the process, helped me to regain control.”
“The great thing about the e-Clinic is that it’s always there. You don’t have to wait for an appointment. You can log on at any time and revisit the tools,” she added.
Zoe’s Message
Today, Zoe has chosen to share her story to raise awareness of bulimia nervosa and encourage others to seek help.
“You are not defined by your eating disorder. For a long time, I believed it would always be a part of me. But with support from those around you, and invaluable resources like the eClinic, you can grow stronger every day, and overcome your eating disorder. Just keep going and never give up,” urged Zoe.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth ed 2013.
National Eating Disorders Collaboration. Bulimia Nervosa 2024 [Available from: <https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/types/bulimia-nervosa>].
About Eating Disorders InsideOut Institute [Available from: <https://insideoutinstitute.org.au/about-eating-disorders/>].
The Butterfly Foundation. Bulimia Nervosa 2024 [Available from: <https://butterfly.org.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/bulimia-nervosa/>].
Deloitte AE. Paying the Price, Second Edition: The economic and social impact of eating disorders in Australia.Report commissioned by The Butterfly Foundation. 2024.
