Diabulimia: what is it and why have so few people heard of it? (9 October 2024)

Summary

Type 1 diabetes with disordered eating (T1DE), or diabulimia as some experts call it, is a serious eating disorder that people with type 1 diabetes can develop where the person reduces or stops taking their insulin as a way of managing their weight. The condition can be life-threatening. Although studies are limited, it’s estimated that eating disorders affect more than a third of patients with type 1 diabetes.

This episode of the Healthcare Improvement podcast looks at diabulimia and a new toolkit published by SIGN, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, which sets out recommendations to raise awareness and provide guidance on how best to support people living with the diabulimia. Guests in this episode include:

• Lawrence Smith, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was four years old and went on to develop an eating disorder in his teens.
• Safia Qureshi, Director of Evidence & Digital at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, who talks about the key recommendations in the toolkit.
• Dr Louise Johnston, Consultant and Clinical Lead on the inpatient unit for eating disorders, NHS Grampian.