Treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy, and other support services offered by a multidisciplinary team who work both in diabetes medicine and on eating disorders.
Research into effective management strategies is ongoing, with a growing medical consensus on the importance of early intervention with specialist teams.
[5][6] The long-term management of type 1 diabetes often involves dietary restrictions for control of blood sugar level, which can raise a negative attention to diet.
Influences from Western culture, childhood sexual abuse, specific personality traits, and neurobiological factors are identified as additional contributors to the development of eating disorders.
Western cultural influence plays a significant role, often promoting unrealistic beauty standards and societal pressures related to body image.
The psychological effects of such abuse can manifest in disordered eating as individuals cope with emotional distress through their relationship with food.
Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism, low self-esteem, or a strong desire for control, are associated with an increased vulnerability to eating disorders.
Additionally, emerging evidence in the field of neurobiology suggests that there are biological factors contributing to the development and maintenance of eating disorders.
Neurochemical imbalances and alterations in brain function may influence appetite regulation, reinforcing disordered eating behaviors.
[17] Treatment for diabulimia has two goals: stabilizing diabetes by increasing insulin intake and addressing the underlying eating disorder.
[22] Individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes typically need to administer insulin on a daily basis, frequently four to five injections throughout the day.
Finding the optimal insulin dose to effectively lower one's blood glucose to the desired levels may take some time, even with the assistance of healthcare professionals.
[25] Many articles and studies further conclude that diabetic females have, on average, higher body mass index (BMI) than their nondiabetic counterparts.
[11] A BBC documentary in 2017 caused a significant increase in requests for specialist medical training for diabulimia, and improved public awareness.