Ok, so one of my best friends recently informed me that she has accidentally become belemic(not sure if thats the spelling) and she does not know what to do about it. I was shocked, recently her and her boyfriend have been trying to lose weight as he has lost 20lbs in 2 months she has lost almost 50, its not healthy, and I had told her that, she says she knew that, but she "cant stop", like, its this mode that she gets into where she just needs to throw up. Im worried and I dont know what to do. I told her to just not throw up when she feels the urge to, but I dont think it would be that simple. Help please?
-
Trouble.
-
The problem goes back to self-image, and can be difficult to treat. It really needs a professional - it's usually a combination of long-term counselling and SSRI antidepressants (which are also helpful for anxiety and OCD) or antipsychotics (on the grounds that bulimia sufferers have a false perception of reality). But a large proportion of patients relapse after treatment.
-
Yeah, she has a major problem with how she looks, even though she is the most beautiful gal I have ever met. She does not think so. -rolls eyes-Her problem is that she does not want anyone to know, because it could "ruin her life" but bulimia can also cause deaths, correct?
-
Indeed, the wikipedia article says "Eating disorders have one of the highest death rates of all mental illnesses", and "Death can occur after severe binging, or from suicide".The way she feels about her looks reminds me of Someone young's feeling about his.
-
I cannot read the article, wont come up for me, but I remember when she told me about her problem, she said that she didnt want to do it, she just 'had to do it'. She didnt know how to explain it. You think she meant like an addiction?An addiction to throwing up? Interesting...
-
It may be more like a compulsion, like OCD for example, than like an addiction. An addiction is driven by something that is at least initially pleasurable, while a compulsion is something you feel you have to do even though it gives no pleasure - not doing it leads to unbearable anxiety.I don't know whay the link doesn't work for you. You might try copying and pasting it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulimia