Doctors thought I wasn’t taking my insulin because I was ‘lazy’ – the truth was much darker

Diabulimia: A Lethal Eating Disorder That Needs Recognition

April Longe, a 19-year-old from Colchester, has launched a petition to have diabulimia recognized as an official eating disorder. Diabulimia is a condition that affects people with type 1 diabetes who deliberately reduce their insulin intake to lose weight. April’s experience is a testament to the dangers of this disorder.

The Dark Truth Behind Diabulimia

April developed diabulimia as a teenager when she began to struggle with an eating disorder. She deliberately reduced her insulin intake to lose weight, which led to complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body breaks down fat instead of using blood sugar. Despite her condition, doctors initially thought she was simply "lazy" and not taking her insulin properly.

The Consequences of Diabulimia

April’s condition took a devastating toll on her health. She was hospitalized multiple times, experienced episodes of DKA, and was even sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Her experiences highlight the severity of diabulimia and the need for recognition as an official eating disorder.

Raising Awareness and Seeking Change

April is now passionate about raising awareness for diabulimia and advocating for its recognition as an official eating disorder. She believes that healthcare professionals need to be more aware of the signs of diabulimia and take steps to prevent it.

Conclusion

Diabulimia is a lethal eating disorder that needs recognition and awareness. April’s story is a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of this condition. By recognizing diabulimia as an official eating disorder, we can work towards prevention and treatment of this condition.

FAQs

• What is diabulimia?
  Diabulimia is a condition that affects people with type 1 diabetes who deliberately reduce their insulin intake to lose weight.
• How common is diabulimia?
  It is estimated that 40 percent of type 1 females aged 15-30 regularly omit insulin for weight control.
• What are the consequences of diabulimia?
  Complications include blindness, limb loss, neuropathy, and fatality.
• Why is recognition of diabulimia important?
  Recognition would raise awareness and lead to prevention and treatment of this condition.