Why Do Anorexic people take laxatives?

Question

I don't understand how that would make them lose weight?

Answer 1

Because they're full of sh*t!!

Answer 2

It really doesn't help anyone to lose weight but some of the foods people eat will cause you to gain weight so I guess people think by taking laxatives, the food they eat will leave the body before producing fat.

The sad thing is that after taking laxatives for so many years that their bowel will actually shut off and quit working on it's own, which will lead to serious problems. Personally, I was taking laxatives for over 10 years (not because I was anorexic) and just this past year I've gotten really sick and the doctor has told me after taking so many laxatives over a period of years that my bowel is now dormant.

Answer 3

Taking Laxatives is pretty much the same as having chronic diorrhea, which leaves you dehydrated if on the toilet too much, taking laxatives along with not eating is extremely unhealthy, as we all know laxatives are generally used to rid our bodies of exrament (to put it bluntly!) with anorexics not eating at all, that can seriously damage themselves! The answer is generally down to some sort of phsycological problem that the person experiences in their life, sometimes it is a phase, others need severe help.

Answer 4

It doesnt help them lose weight in anyway, it's really damaging to them and wont actually help them with their 'goal' to lose weight. However, anorexic isnt about actuals it's far more emotional and irrational, so many take laxatives to literally 'purge' themselves of food. Also, many dont or wouldnt know that medically it's doing more harm than good to their cause, and so take them in the misguided belief that it will stop them for absorbing any of the food they eat.

A friend of mine was taking 30-40 lax tablets a day, she weighed less than 5st. the tablets did nothing that continue to help strip her of any nutrients or liquid her body was managing to take from the small amount she eat. Of course, as she threw up as often as possible, it was pretty irrelevant anyway.

But in answer to your question, they see it as an alternative way to purge food from their system (an alternative to being sick)

Answer 5

Anorexics think that laxatives will help get rid of any food through the digestion quicker and also help get rid of any water. It actually does alot more harm as it dehydrates the body and doesnt help you lose weight.

Answer 6

Perhaps they are not educated enough to know that laxatives are not effective in catalysing weight loss.
I think it just helps them 'feel' lighter and better psychologically, cos their 'purging' their negative feelings.
Interestingly enough, I used to know someone who was mildly anorexic and took laxatives to clear out her bowels,and after that she would weight herself on the scale.

Answer 7

It whisks away all matter from the digestive tract before it has time to metabolise into fats, sugars and proteins, which an anorexic associates with weight gain.

Answer 8

I guess that they still think that they still have something in ther stomachs. It is also difficult to disguise anorexia, at some point people might wonder why the person is not eating, so they have to eat something, but then take the laxativess to prevet full digestions. (I guess someone has said this here before)

Answer 9

They take them so that the food in their stomachs doesnt have time to fully digest and there fore they can eat a full meal with their family and then secretly poo it all out. It is just another way so that they dont have to stick their fingers down their throates and vomit it up!!!

Answer 10

any food left in the body they excrete out wen using laxatives

Answer 11

You carry about a stone, or 14 pounds of poo around in your insides, so if you get rid of this you become a stone lighter!!