Freddie Flintoff has worked hard to present a specific image of himself to the world. The six-foot-four former international cricketer-turned car enthusiast cuts a masculine image. Yet throughout his cricketing days and alongside his raucous exploits on BBC Two’s Top Gear, Freddie has harboured a painful health battle.
The Top Gear host revealed how exercising provided a “coping mechanism” for his condition.
The star acknowledged that he has not fully come to terms with his Bulimia.
What is bulimia?
Bulimia is an eating disorder and mental health condition that can affect men and women at any age.
“People who have bulimia go through periods where they eat a lot of food in a very short amount of time (binge eating) and then make themselves sick, use laxatives (medication to help them poo) or do excessive exercise, or a combination of these, to try to stop themselves gaining weight,” explains the NHS.
Other signs include:
- Fear of putting on weight
- Being very critical about your weight and body shape
- Mood changes – feeling very tense or anxious, for example
- Thinking about food a lot
- Feeling guilty and ashamed, and behaving secretively
- Avoiding social activities that involve food
- Feeling like you have no control over your eating.
How to respond
Getting help and support as soon as possible gives you the best chance of recovering from bulimia, says the NHS.
“If you think you may have bulimia, see your GP as soon as possible,” the health body recommends.
It adds: “If you are concerned that a family member or friend may have bulimia, let them know you are worried about them and encourage them to see their GP. You could offer to go along with them.”
Treatment may take time, but you can recover from bulimia.
According to Harvard Health, a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and medication works best.
CBT is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.
You can also talk in confidence to an adviser from eating disorders charity Beat, by calling their adult helpline on 0808 801 0677 or their youth helpline on 0808 801 0711.