[hopes4]

Anyone with bulimia and also self injures? I started when I was about 10, maybe younger. I use to punish myself for eating or eating "bad" things and for not burning enough calories as well. So I didn't cut but I started punishing myself by hitting and pinching and taking hot and cold showers and baths and also making myself lay on the freezing cold floor in the walk in closet in the old farm house I was living in. Also put the heating pad on myself until it was burning hot . . . ect, ect, ect. Then I cut a couple times way later when I was 20 and in college, freaked myself out and got some help, oh so hard! Haven't SIed for 15 months. But then the bulimia started for real and I started taking laxatives and vomiting. But I think I had an eating disorder way before when I was self injuring because of food . . . What do you think?

[zombiette]

possibly, maybe u used the si to cover up the food issues and them when the si-ing stopped the ED came back full-force. tho i think also it's a case of going from one unhealthy coping mechanism to another, so the issues behind both the si and ED are probly the same.

[hopes4]

I def. went from one way of coping to another.

[zombiette]

yea, then u need to find new, healthier ways of coping, if u look on the SI board there are a list of things u can do instead of cut (or in this case, purge)...writing was a huge help for me when i SI'd and was anorexic.

[hopes4]

I'm not taking laxatives anymore-so bad took them for a year and messed my body up so much I can't imagine if I was still taking them. I'm not purgine either at least trying really hard not too and doing pretty well. Its been a few weeks.

[ickydog2006]

I was bulimic and was a cutter, but never at the same time and I don't think I ever used bulimia as a way of punishing myself.

[hopes4]

I did't use the bulimia as a way to punish myself.

I didn't do both at the same time either. When I stopped SI, I started purging.

I self injured to punish myself for eating and such plus other things but mostly eating or eating "bad food"

[zombiette]

i was anorexic and a self-harmer but never at the same time either...i went from self-harm to anorexia and back to selfharm, i think it was b/c i didn't want to or know how to face my problems w/out self-destructive methods .

[Soidhonia]

Hello and welcome to Psych Central. I am not sure if you are aware but there is help for people with Eating Disorders and Self Injury at this time, you do not have to feel alone and desperate all of the time. There are a lot of therapists and Drs that deal with isues that you have. On the main screen here at Psych Central there is referrals for Psych Drs and therapists, that may be in your area.If you dont find a therapist in your area you may call these numbers (free) 1-800-931-2237 this is the number for the National Eating Disorder Association, or 1-800-RENFREW for Eating Disorder Referrals. I hope the best for you Take care Soidhonia

[Rapunzel]

I agree that bulimia and SI are symptoms of the same thing. Part of it is emotional invalidation and not having better ways to cope.

A good book to gain some insight into the whole thing is "Women Who Hurt Themselves" by Dusty Miller. It's about all of the ways that we hurt ourselves, including SI, eating disorders, addiction, and anything else that hurts us. And it also helps you to know how to start recovering.

Rap

[NeferTiti]

Hi,

I am happy that u are ok! And I wish u good luck to lead this to the end and keep the possitive line.
I know what it is. I have bulimia too and i am dying to overcome it. I did it once but now it's bad period again. I hate it cause I hate what i am doing to myself. Please tell me how u succeed... I am new here and it just came to my mind that i can talk with someone who has the same problem.

Thanks in advance!

Greetings