[Jessica02]

I feel a bit nervous about posting this thread, but i need some advice.

Ive been suffering from bulimia for about 8 months. I dont know why i started, it just happened and i thought i was in control of it.
I need to stop now before it gets to late.

Its effecting every aspect of my life. I got asked out today by a real nice guy i said no because i cant go out without knowing exactly what time im eating and if theres a toilet near by.
I dont wanna live the rest of my life like that.

I have lost almost all contact with close friends because i cant go out anymore. Thats because im too uptight about eating, its all i think about. i dont have any energy either.

I dont think I can tell anyone about this cos its too painful(im crying now) I too feel embarrassed to even talk to my mum about it.

She suspects theres somthing wrong, i mean ive lost alot of weight but i tell her im on a diet i dont think she believes me and she has started searching my draws and stuff. I just feel trapped and its a horrible feeling.
Christmas day was the worst because it was really traditional and beautiful all my family i hadnt seen in years were gathered together and i couldnt enjoy it all.

I need to know what to do now cos I am not in control anymore.
Who shall i tell or where shall i go? (Im 17 if that helps)

 

[irma]

I think you need to seek help, go to a docter and they can help you because they are experienced. I understand how embrased it is to tell anybody, when I had troubles and couldn`t go on anymore I didn`t dare to tell anybody either, I waited till I had help already and I couldn`t hide it anymore for my family.
There are groups for people with eatingdisorders, maybe it helps when you find people who know what you are going through and help to get your life back on track

I hope you will beat this

 

[per4ever]

Hey jessica,

you were very brave to post this, and it's very very good that you realise yourself that you have a problem, a big one even.

First of all..this is not just an eating disorder..bulimia is a real disease, and you really need professional help for this. I think after 8 months you are way too far in it to change it yourself.

I can imagine it's hard to tell someone. Tell it first to a really good close friend, she/he will support you. You'll have to go to someone who can be at your side to get over this.

I never had an eating disorder of any kind, but I've seen the consequences of bulimia...now you're still in time to change it..do it now you still can.

K

 

[Jessica02]

Thanks you guys alot.
I really appreciate it.

Irma how long did you have your problem for? and when did you seek help for it?

 

[Kisha]

girl, first you have done the hardest part. you admitted to yourself you have a problem. well done for that, it takes alot of courage to do that.

next, however hard it is, you need to ask for help. girl, (your british, arent you?) if you dont ask for help and you collapse, girl they could end up sectioning you and not letting you out. I am not telling you this to worry you im telling you to make sure you understand.

If you dont ask for help, you could end up being sectioned, and girl its not very nice. The hospital would not let you out due to the risk you represent to yourself. They will keep you there and drip feed you. if you wont swallow or keep it down, they will drip feed you and GIRL, you DO NOT want that at all. Its the most horrible feeling in the world. its almost like being injected with something against your will. Again im telling you this to let you know the options. This is what can happen girl, believe me.

The other option is to ask. i know its hard, but you do need to ask. If you ask it shows you are willing to get yourself sorted out. you are trying. There are so many help lines for advice, or see your doctor, your gran, your bro/sister, your mum, your teacher, whoever, just say 'Help Me' and girl they will help. they can help.

What i need you to do for me, is look in the mirror, and be proud. you dont have to mean it, just look in the mirror and say, i am beautiful. it doesnt matter if you dont mean it, just say it everytime you see yourself in a mirror.

it helps, believe me.

Next you need to take a look at your vitamin count, and see what you need. Girl i dont recommend them, but you are gonna have to take vitamins if you are not gonna ask for help. You need to buy iron tablets, calcuim tablets, anything that you are lacking to help build you up.

Then comes the desision. All you need to do is just say the words 'help me' or 'i have a problem' to someone/ anyone who you feel close enough to and it will all be over.

what you cant do is keep om like this. sooner or later you will pass out somewhere and when you are rushed to hospital, the doctors will find out the problem.

What i need you to do for me, is reply to my message, by saying 'help me'. then all you need to do is repeat it to someone else. girl, i know its hard, but your life is gonna be a struggle until you do.

the bottom line is, when (not if) you go into hospital do you want to be there with the thought in mind of going home after a week or so and going back and forth, or do you want to go in with the posibility of not coming out and being stuck there for 1-2 months?

Girl, if you want me, pm me. or email me. Dont struggle with this on your own. You know that there are people who care. people like me. I care what happens to you.

 

[irma]

I had problems for years before I got help because I didn`t want to see that there was something wrong, till I realy couldn`t go on anymore.
I was 19 when I decided to get help and now I am 25 and I am still working very day, it still though sometimes but I will go on
My eating habits are going well for years already. I never realy had boulimia(I didn`t puke or take pills) or anorexia but just did overeating a lot and put up weight till 100 kilo, I lost that but I am still pretty scared that it will comeback so I am still pretty obsessed with everything I eat even that I know that I eat normal now and I know I can control it.

 

[Mazza]

Hi Jessica,
I have had Bulimia aswell. Don't let it effect your life, I told a really close friend who told my other friends and one of them had told a teacher, i am glad they did as she got me into touch with these people who I can talk to and ever since,Im slowly getting used to eating properly again I still am careful about how much I eat to avoid binging and am slowly comming back to my normal eating habits. I started it because I felt fat, even though I knew I wasn't In fact I was accually underweight, I just felt fat and I wanted to do something about it and I knew that a diet wouldn't work and I couldn't stave myself so I tured Bulimia. I started to do it around August but I wasn't found out till October and that is when I went for the help and slowly but succsessfuly I feel that I have beaten it.
Please seek advice, talk to someone who could put you in touch prahaps with a counciller (sp..??) or go and see someone who speciallizes with eating disorders and please, see a doctor before you do yourself serious damage and rember, you have will power and Bulimia WON'T beat you, you WILL beat it I think you should tell your Mum as you will need people around you to help you through it, My Family and friends helped me so much and I feel even closer to them all now.
Take Care,
Marie xx

 

[Jessica02]

Thanx again for your support.

I will ring up the helpine and go from there.

Kisha - u are a sweetie. Your post did actually scare me!, but thats what u need sometimes. thank u for being so supportive.

Irma - Its comforting to know that someone else has been through an eating disorder and come out of the right end. Well done to you for getting help and I will do the same.

per4ever - Thanx for being so sweet and giving me such great advice.

 

[Jessica02]

Marie - Thank u soo much its nice to know that people care and im glad your recovering from your problem.

Did u find it hard to tell your friend or was it o.k?
I really dont want to do this on my own.

p.s- nice avatar!

 

[Kisha]

you are so welcome. yo dont need to be on you own.

anything you want you just ask.

p.s - im not just talking random, i have had a disorder aswell.

 

[Jessica02]

:kiss: :kiss: :kiss: to everyone.

Kisha - what disorder did you have hun?

 

[saki]

I've had an eating disorder too...

It's not easy, but you really do need to seek help. What type of help you get first is really up to you.

I went first to my doctor and when I'd got myself sorted out and pretty much back in control of my non-eating habits I went to a couple of friends for emotional support.

But you could also do it the other way around - talk to a friend first and then to a doctor.

It all depends on whether or not you want emotional support first or practical support.

The first step is the one that you're taking right now - realising that you have a real problem.

 

[Kisha]

i just wouldnt eat to start with. you know skip meals and just plain not eat, and you know when people say it dont work, thats aload of rubbish, it does. when i wanted to lose weight more quickly i used to eat and induce myself to be sick. then lost so much weight, sectioned ...... thats the way it is!

 

[Jessica02]

thanx saki - i think i need emotinal support first cos im sensitive and a bit shy of doing things solo. The hardest thing is to tell Anyone be it doctor or friend.

Kisha - dosent sound too good,but im glad your over it and fighting strong.

Im suprised about the amount of people with eating disorders it is really nice to know that you know what im going through and want to help. thank you

 

[Kisha]

thats cool Jessi!

you want nething just ask!!

 

[destructo_girl]

I'm sorry Jessi.

I've never had an eating problem before, so I don't know what its like, but I can imagine it must be very hard. (trite, I know.)

But you're a brave girl for being able to come to the board with this, so I know you'll be brave enough to fight it.

My advice wouldn't mean too much, but I can only stress that you tell your mum. Even if its embarrassing, be strong. She's your mother, she's not going to hold it against you. She'd just be concerned. And you need to see a doctor, because its a very serious matter.

Keep fighting, girl. You'll pull through it.

 

[destructo_girl]

This probably won't help any, but I got this email, and you've probably already seen it, but just in case it will help you.

Facts on Figures

• There are 3 billion women who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do.
• Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14.
• If Barbie was a real woman, she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions.
• The average woman weighs 144 lb. and! wears between a 12-14.
• One out of every four college aged women has an eating! disorder.
• The models in the magazines are airbrushed -- not perfect!
• A psychological study in 1995 found that three minutes spent looking at a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty, and shameful.
• Models twenty years ago weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today they weigh 23% less.

Beauty of a Woman
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart! The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman Is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, The passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman With passing years -- only grows.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Jessica02 - After reading your initial post, I'm glad to see all the positive response you've received And I'm glad that you are now planning to get help for your bulimia.

I can back up the horror stories that Kisha spoke of what happens in the hospital - a very close friend of mine went through and experience like that.

She wasn't even aloud to go to the bathroom alone. There was someone with her al all times.

My freinds and I sent her presents (she missed xmas) but she wasn't aloud to see them or open them untill after she got out.

Even after she got out she still had problems - her heart was so weak she had to give up the only thing that she really loved doing - running track

But she bounced back, and I have faith that you will too.

Just take the wise advice that has already been given too you in here - and get some help.

Trust me - your freinds and family will WANT to know and WANT to help you through this. Your not a burden to anyone - they love you, and will want to help make you feel good about yourself again.

I know, cause its how I felt when my freind was sick.

Good luck.

 

[jomar]

I could only wish you the best Jessica.:angel:

 

[Mazza]

Hi Jessica
Telling my closest friend that I had a problem was one of the most hardest things I have ever had to do in my life as I felt that she would go against me and everything would go wrong, but it was thw complete oppisite, she was always there, she even came to my first meeting with the young peoples' helpers who were great and put me into touch with more specialists and stuff. You need to tell someone to help you as you won't quit if you do it by yourself, you need family and friends there. I also had to stop eating to start with which was horrible and I ended up getting deppressed but It works and even though I still have to be watched when I'm eating which I have to admit I find quite emmbarassing, and I feel like I'm wasting people's time, and I felt like an outcast, but my friends and family were there for me always and If it wasn't for them I wouldn't of got through it. So talk to someone close weather it is your mum, Friend, anyone who you are close to, I know it will be hard but you will be glad that you did as they will help you through it, as they won't want to see you suffer anymore, so please tell someone about it, that is great that you have phoned a hotline, some doctor's have special centers which deal with young people's problems and belive me, they are great!
Take Care and good luck
Marie xx