I’m Making Myself Sick or Trying to Compensate After Eating, How Do I Get Help
If you are making yourself sick or repeatedly trying to “undo” eating, it is important to tell a healthcare professional.
If you are making yourself sick or repeatedly trying to “undo” eating, it is important to tell a healthcare professional.
You may feel embarrassed or fear that somebody will make you stop before you are ready. You may also believe the behaviour is under control because nobody else knows.
Compensatory behaviours can affect physical health as well as mental wellbeing. They deserve medical assessment, not a more effective technique.
What do professionals mean by compensatory behaviour
NICE includes behaviours such as vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diet pills and excessive exercise among signs that should prompt consideration of an eating disorder.
This guide will not explain how to carry out, intensify or conceal any of these behaviours.
If you use them, tell your GP what is happening and how often as accurately as you can.
Why medical assessment matters
Eating-disorder behaviours can affect hydration, electrolytes, the heart, teeth, digestive health and other body systems.
NICE advises assessment of physical health where an eating disorder is suspected and specifically considers the physical effects of compensatory behaviours.
You cannot reliably judge those effects from how you look or how well you are functioning day to day.
You may not fit the stereotype you have in mind
Some people delay asking for help because their weight has not changed in the way they expected, or because other people describe them as looking healthy.
That is not a reliable test.
NICE says BMI should not be used as the sole measure for deciding whether somebody should receive eating-disorder treatment.
Tell your GP even if saying it aloud feels difficult
You can write it down.
For example: “After I eat, I sometimes do things to try to compensate and I’m worried about what it is doing to me.”
You can hand the note to the GP if speaking feels too difficult.
The clinician may ask about your eating, physical symptoms, mental health and the behaviours you are using. This information helps them decide what assessment and referral you need.
Specialist treatment addresses the cycle
Different eating disorders require different treatment, so it is important not to choose a treatment from an online label.
NICE recommends eating-disorder-specific psychological treatments for conditions such as bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders, with physical-health monitoring where needed.
If an eating disorder is suspected after initial assessment, NICE recommends referral to an age-appropriate eating-disorder service.
Do not wait for the behaviour to become more frequent
Secrecy can create the impression that you still have plenty of time because nobody else has noticed.
You do not have to wait for somebody to confront you, for your appearance to change or for a medical complication to occur.
Telling a GP now gives you the opportunity for proper assessment and appropriate specialist support.
Last reviewed
6 September 2026
Important informationThis guide provides general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical or eating-disorder advice. Eating disorders can affect physical as well as mental health, and appearance or body weight alone does not show how unwell somebody may be. If you are worried about your eating, food-related behaviours, body image or physical health, speak to your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. If an eating disorder is suspected, specialist assessment should be arranged as early as possible.