ED-DMT1

ED-DMT1 is the formal name for 'diabulimia' and it stands for 'Eating Disorder - Diabetes Mellitus Type 1'. ED-DMT1 is a very serious eating disorder, which is sadly not recognised by any of the NHS guidelines, nor the DSM-IV.
It is characterised by an individual specifically manipulating their insulin injection with the aim of controlling their weight. 

ED-DMT1 is more prevalent in females, although it is still seen in male sufferers, and it is thought that 40% of 15-30 year old's regularly omit insulin for the purpose of losing weight. 

Despite not being recognised officially by the medical community, ED-DMT1 has devastating consequences for their sufferers, these include: organ failure, infertility, blindness, and even death sadly in far too many cases. 

The leading charity working towards awareness for ED-DMT1 is 'DWED' (Diabetics with Eating Disorders) - please visit their page: DWED  

Signs and Symptoms 
  • Recurrent episodes of DKA/ Hyperglycaemia
  • Recurrent episodes of Hypoglycaemia
  • High HbA1c
  • Frequent hospitalisations for poor blood sugar control
  • Delay in puberty or sexual maturation or irregular menses / amenorrhea
  • Frequent trips to the Toilet
  • Frequent episodes of thrush/ urine infections
  • Nausea and Stomach Cramps
  • Loss of appetite/ Eating More and Losing Weight
  • Drinking an abnormal amount of fluids
  • Hair loss
  • Delayed Healing from infections/ bruises.
  • Easy Bruising
  • Dehydration – Dry Skin
  • Dental Problems
  • Blurred Vision
  • Severe Fluctuations in weight/ Severe weight loss/Rapid weight Gain/Anorexic BMI
  • Fractures/ Bone Weakness
  • Anaemia and other deficiencies
  • Early onset of Diabetic Complications particularly neuropathy, retinopathy, gastroperisis & nephropathy
  • Co – occurrence of depression, anxiety or other psychological disturbance i.e. Borderline Personality Disorder.
  • Anxiety/ distress over being weighed at appointments
  • Frequent Requests to switch meal plans
  • Fear of hypoglycaemia
  • Fear of injecting/ Extreme distress at injecting
  • Continually requesting new meters (for the b.s. Solution)
  • Injecting in private
  • Insisting on having injected out of view
  • Avoidance of Diabetes Related Health Appointments
  • Lack of BS testing /Reluctance to test
  • Over/ under -  treating Hypoglycaemic episodes
  • A fundamental belief that insulin makes you fat
  • Assigning moral qualities to food (i.e. good for sugars/ bad for sugars)
  • An encyclopaedic knowledge of the carbohydrate content of foods
  • Persistent requests for weight loss medications
  • If T1 is concurrent with hypothyroidism – abuse of levothyroxine
  • Metformin abuse
 

"The disappointment I feel about myself is overwhelming, I just don't understand why I find it so difficult to control what I eat. I am also amazingly ashamed. The feelings I experience are all-consuming and the most over-powering feelings I have ever felt...I couldn't even begin to explain how powerful they are. I am so worried about people judging me, but my ultimate fear? People thinking I'm just fat and greedy. But I suppose I know really, that secretly eating, endless thoughts about food and how it affects everything I do, can't just be normal. 

To me, it's no surprise that some people with Diabetes have ED's, and there is a link...I'm just shocked that the link is not recognised by more professionals. I know I'm not alone. And if I know that, why don't others?"