I think my cousin is bulimic???????!


Question: I think my cousin is bulimic!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
my cousin is 16, and since Christmas she has lost tremendous weight, and she usually stays with my family in the summer because she likes to hang out with my sister!. ive notice that she had been taking showers every night and goes to the bathroom and she eats a lot to!. just yesterday because she ate a huge bowl full of chocolate ice cream when no one was home except me, and took a shower right away!. im about 80% sure she is throwing up after her meals!. how can i make sure!? and if she is what do i do!? and how can i stop here!.!? also she has been very depressed!.

any help would be appreciated
thank youWww@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
You can try confronting her!. Choose your words very carefully!. Maybe start by saying that your concerned that she lost so much weight!. Ask her if she is depressed!. Tell her you love her and she can trust you!.Then you can go from there!.

People with eating disorders see themselves as fat no matter what anyone tells them!.

After you confront her she will hide things even more!. Give her a little more time and try to confront her again!. The first thing is to gain her trust!.

If none of that works and your still concerned you must tell your family and hers for help!. It is a very dangerous disorder and can kill her!. This might to much to do on your own!. But if she trust you she may confide in you and welcome some help!.

It may help to educate yourself a little bit!. Here is a link that may help you!.

http://www!.mamashealth!.com/bulimia!.asp

Take care and never give up!Www@Answer-Health@Com

The only way to be sure is to ask her about it!. I know it's hard to confront someone about a difficult problem like this but I really think it's the best!. Let her know that you are concerned about her and only have her best interests in mind!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I think you need to have her eat over at your house, and lock the bathroom, and she will suffur big time if she cant get the food out, if she looses to much, she is a gonerWww@Answer-Health@Com

first of all, you need to talk to her seriously!. tell her that you are concerned about her, and would like to talk to her privately!. if she wants to talk, then you can ask her directly about your suspicion!. if she doesn't want to talk, tell her that you sensed some issues, and think that she needs help!. tell her that you are available and would like to talk when she is ready!.

ask her directly if she is having problem with her eating pattern / behaviour!. she needs to admit that she has a problem before any changes can take place!. the first step is to acknowledge that she has a problem, and she needs help!. you cannot help her if she is still in denial!.

bulimic pt requires treatment and counseling!. it is not something that you can help her at home!. what you can do is to help her to open up and seek for help!. you can also let her know that it is a common and serious problem if she let herself to get worse!. let her know that you are there to help her!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

The wise move here is to speak with your cousin directly about it!. Tell her what you have noticed, and that you are deeply concerned for her health!. Ask her if she has considered getting treatment, and come armed with some ideas (e!.g!., getting help from parents, speaking with counselor at school)!. Encourage her to talk with her parents about it!. Offer to be there with her to support her when she does so!.

Best of luck,
~M~

p!.s!. If she will not agree to tell her parents, and you are certain she is binging and purging - here is the hard part - you will need to go ahead and tell her parents yourself!. Bulimia is deadly, and rarely (if ever) remits on its own!. Your cousin needs professional help!. You wouldn't want the death of your cousin on your conscience!. Although she may be angry at first, it is better to accept that angry for a time than to attend her funeral (yes, I am serious)!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

This is a toughie, if your cousin is bulimic she will need some professional help!. Does she drink alot of water, especially during meals!?

I don't wish to sound patronising but not sure if you are aware of not but bulimia/eating disorders are not about food, there will be underlying issue as to why she acts in this way, usually total lack of self worth!.

I think the best way to approach the convo with your cousin would be in a non-confrontatial way, you could start by talking about easting disorders in general and bring into the convo about how understanding you are with this issue, ask your cousin for her opionions and mention it you could give any advise to someone with a ED it would be to see their GP!.

It will be a long journey and difficult but it is worth the effort!.

I have been bulimic for the past 8yrs and in theraphy for the past year!.

Good luck and patience
xWww@Answer-Health@Com





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