If I am in a crisis binging vomiting?

[Marilybella]

If I am in a binge eating and vomiting, can I go to the ER and get some help? It seems I cannot stop and I just feel that at the ER nobody would understand... Also I do not feel like this I can go to work, I have been in my house for 5 days straight, but I cannot tell this to my boss or to the 6 people that report to me.
Plus I have so much work and responsibility and my boss would be very upset that I take sick days off because of all that needs to be done. Here in S Miami I still do not know of a psychologist, or psychiatrist that I can go to and even to do this is horrible because I cannot take time off work. The only way is to hospitalize myself so that my boss would not ask. What can I do?

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

Vomiting can cause dehydration, heart attack, and even, death.  An ER would most likely check for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.  Clearly your binge-purging behavior is impacting your life greatly.  You do need support and treatment.  There are eating disorder programs in Florida.  Through a search engine type in eating disorder treatment in Miami, Florida.  By searching the internet and eating disorder treatment finders and calling your insurance provider directly, you will be able to find a qualified eating disorder specialist.  Through evaluation, you can explore diferent treatment options.  Visit the bella vita website to learn of treatment options.  We have just opened our Residential Healing for Eating Disorders.  We have not yet updated our website.  If you'd like information, feel free to contact me directly through our website.  I admire your courageousness for reaching out for helo, there is hope!  Best, Dr Patricia Pitts The Bella Vita  Los Angeles, CA

[Rach878]

I went to a treatment center for bulimia and it really helped me. I felt so much better, there were poeple that understood what i was going through, adn they hooked me up with a treatment team before i left. I think there is a facilty near you. If you go online to youtube.com, and type in "thin documentary" there is a treament  place in florida. it might be in orlando,i don't remedmber. I'll check it out and get back to you if you want, just et me know.

[kmon]

If you "hospitalize" yourself, would you be helping or hurting yourself?

I found that by trying to nurse myself back to health from large binge/purge episodes never worked.  I had to confront my anxiety and get out of my house-- out of my refrigerator-- and go to work no matter how uncomfortable and fat I felt in the public eye.  You will get over this eventually.  But in the meantime, help yourself by trying to be around people rather than isolating yourself.  Go to work, stay late if you have to, or go out with friends, rather than going home to do the inevitable.  

As far as the physical pain you might be in, take it easy on yourself, drink lots of warm tea, maybe eat soup or something healthy and easy for you to keep down.  After a week or two, hopefully you'll feel better.  If you can, try to keep going to work.  Unless, of course, you really do need to go to the hospital.

Hope this helps