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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
could i be bulimic?
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could i be bulimic?
by Nikki, Jun 11, 2000 12:00AM
I am 16 years old and weight has always been a major issue to me.
For the past 3 years i have started to use laxatives because i thought i could lose weight. Now it is way out of control. i take them all the time and i take way too many at a time.I want to stop for my health's sake but im afraid if i do i will get really fat.I dont know if im bulimic because i dont make myself throw up..and im not thin.. Im 5'10 140lbs..So, do you think i could be bulimic?
For the past 3 years i have started to use laxatives because i thought i could lose weight. Now it is way out of control. i take them all the time and i take way too many at a time.I want to stop for my health's sake but im afraid if i do i will get really fat.I dont know if im bulimic because i dont make myself throw up..and im not thin.. Im 5'10 140lbs..So, do you think i could be bulimic?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD -RG, Jun 11, 2000 12:00AM
For a diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa, an episode of binge eating occurs with alternating behavior of compensatory behavior like misue of laxatives, vomiting, enemas, etc., which you did not mention.
However, if you are also experiencing in addition to your symptomatology, of intense fear of gaining weight, ammenorrhea or absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycle, you may be suffering from anorexia nervosa.
From your admission, your eating behavior is a major issue that needs to medically monitored by a physician to prevent any long-lasting effects brought about by the imbalance in your diet.
I would recommend consulting initially your primary care physician to rule out any physical complications from your problem, then consult a psychiatrist for consideration of medications like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and to undergo intensive psychotherapy. You may also want to consider working with a dietitican to help you with a diet that is most comfortable for you.
However, if you are also experiencing in addition to your symptomatology, of intense fear of gaining weight, ammenorrhea or absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycle, you may be suffering from anorexia nervosa.
From your admission, your eating behavior is a major issue that needs to medically monitored by a physician to prevent any long-lasting effects brought about by the imbalance in your diet.
I would recommend consulting initially your primary care physician to rule out any physical complications from your problem, then consult a psychiatrist for consideration of medications like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and to undergo intensive psychotherapy. You may also want to consider working with a dietitican to help you with a diet that is most comfortable for you.
Member Comments (4)
by nsr, Jun 11, 2000 12:00AM
I am 5'4" and 135 lbs. and I am thin. So girl, you gotta be thin!!!
by Chelsea, Jun 26, 2000 12:00AM
i am a recovered bulimic. Throughout my recovery, i have learned that eating disorders, which in my opinion is having an unhealthy emotional relationship with food in any way, are not about food or weight but about something more inmportant in someones life that is being expressed using food. You have been harming yourself for a long time and by writing that question you have taken the first step to healing. I urge you to ignore all the technical requirements of any eating disorder and seek help as soon as you can. You will need a lot of support, and i hope you get all you need.
by Smari3, Aug 09, 2007 03:39AM
To: smari3
i weigh 122 pounds and im 5"1 weights always been an issue for me because i grew up around my best friend/my sister shes my same height and weighs only 90 pounds i mean ill admit i make myslef vomit accationally but not all the time so does that still make me bulimic..on days i odnt vomit i only try to eat one small portion a day but i odnt vomit so this doesnt make me a bulimic does it??!?!?
