How do you resolve bulimia? Is there any cure for it? What are the consequences?

Question

My sister I suuspect is suffering from bulimia.. she runs to toilet after her meal.. i wan to know how i can help her without the need of the hospital

Answer 1

Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. Purging and other behaviors to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and anxiety. While there is no single known cause of bulimia, many things may have a role in its development:


* Biology. There are studies being done to look at many genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain that may have an effect on the development of, and recovery from, bulimia.

* Culture. Some cultures in the U.S. have an ideal of extreme thinness. Women may define themselves on how beautiful they are.

* Personal feelings. Someone with bulimia may feel badly about herself, feel helpless, and hate the way she looks.

* Stressful events or life changes. Things like starting a new school or job, being teased, or traumatic events like rape can lead to the onset of bulimia.

* Families. The attitude of parents about appearance and diet affects their kids. Also, a person is more likely to develop bulimia if a mother or sister has it.



If you know someone with bulimia, you can help. Follow these steps from the National Eating Disorders Association:

1. Set a time to talk. Set aside a time to privately talk about your concerns with your friend. Be open and honest. Make sure you talk in a place away from distractions.

2. Tell your friend about your concerns. Tell your friend about specific times when you were worried about her eating or exercise behaviors. Explain that you think these things may show a problem that needs professional help.

3. Ask your friend talk about these concerns. She could talk to a counselor or doctor who knows about eating issues. If you feel comfortable, offer to help your friend make an appointment or go with her to her appointment.

4. Avoid conflicts or a battle of the wills with your friend. If your friend doesn’t admit to a problem, repeat your feelings and the reasons for them. Be a supportive listener.

5. Don’t place shame, blame, or guilton your friend. Do not use accusatory “you” statements like, “You just need to eat.” Or, “You are acting irresponsibly.” Instead, use “I” statements like, “I’m concerned about you because you refuse to eat breakfast or lunch.” Or, “It makes me afraid to hear you vomiting.”

6. Avoid giving simple solutions. Don’t say, "If you'd just stop, then everything would be fine!"

7. Express your continued support. Remind your friend that you care and want her to be healthy and happy.


i do have some nutritional supplement may help to prevention and maintaining good health. I can recommend some if your sister need it. you can email me to know more or meet up to have a free body check up to know how's your sister health status now.

Answer 2

Tell her if she doesn't stop, she will ruin her teeth and no doctor will ever keep her as a patient with poor dentition and a habit of bulimia in the past.

She will never be taken seriously as a patient because they consider this a selfish and stupid thing and don't care if the person just has really low self esteem.

She will ruin her body inside and cause herself to have eating and weight problems in the future.

She should be checked to be sure she does not have intolerances and allergies first, before she is diagnosed with bulimia.

It is resolved when the patient decides that they are worth not treating themselves that way, that they do not need to feel guilt or please people by doing the right thing in front of them but another thing out of sight. There is usually a secret bulimics are keeping. I won't speculate on your sister's, but I know someone who thought she was a lesbian and was a bulimic in secret for over six years. Her back teeth are ruined now. The color cannot be fixed. And she can't keep a doctor. She stopped throwing up after marriage coz the hubby caught her and taught her a lesson, basically, but now she is overweight and has lots of issues, and can't face them all or get help, coz no one takes bulimics seriously, and the ones who do cost a LOT of money.....

Get your sister to stop NOW before she has a lot more problems.

Answer 3

I'm so sorry to hear that your sister is having to go through this.

I'd talk with her and list out the behaviors that you are seeing that scare you. Here's an article for helping a family member with an eating disorder: http://www.edreferral.com/helping_loved_ones.htm

She may be in denial about her eating problems, but you need to get her to a therapist who specialized in eating disorders. There, she will work on the issues causing the eating problems, as well as the eating disordered symptoms. She needs to be medically monitored (due to purging) and to have a therapist. If she's open to it (which I am guessing she isn't at this point), a nutritionist and support group would be helpful too.

Here are 2 links for ED info and treatment resources (therapists, nutritionists, inpatient facilities, etc.):
http://www.something-fishy.org/treatmentfinder/
http://www.edreferral.com

Good luck, and I hope you have support for you too!

Answer 4

***First thing to remember is that eating disorders are a psychological problem, generally stemming from horrible self esteem. Do not criticize her for what you think she is doing, even if you find out for sure. Encourage her in other areas, but try to refrain from complimenting her weightloss, because this will trigger her thinking that she is doing something right.
***Consequences: tooth decay, hair loss, esophogal erosion, brittle nails, premature osteoporosis, eventually, death. A therapist- especially one that specializes in eating disorders- is about the only thing... But she has to want help, so talk with her first. Until she realizes that she has a problem, no one can talk her through resolving it.
There is a fiction novel by Catherine Palmer called "The Happy Room." The main character loses a sister to anorexia. Good reading, may help you relate to her a little better. Good luck, sweetie.

Answer 5

If she's bulimic, she needs professional help. It's a serious emotional illness, and an addiction as powerful as heroin. A support group like Overeaters Anonymous would be a good place to start (they help anorectics and bulimics too), but she more than likely needs psychotherapy.

Answer 6

There are many possible causes for eating disorders and many types of eating disorders. My suggestion to you is that you spend as much time letting your sister know that you're concerned about her as you do researching how to help her. I don't know what her motivation is, but I know that what helped me get over my eating disorder (this was when I was in high school), was feeling an obligation towards others because it's easy to punish yourself in a bubble and a lot harder to know that you're causing pain to others. Best of luck.

Answer 7

you are not qualified to counsel a bulemic. Let me repeat that. You are not qualified to counsel a bulemic, you cannot help. Tell her parents, tell a doctor, tell someone, as it is VERY rare for a bulemic to seek treatment on their own.

one more time:
You are not qualified to counsel a bulemic--get PROFESSIONAL help.

Answer 8

Tell her that her teeth will rott out and that she stinks.

Answer 9

its mental so she will probably need professional help