[MAC7714]

Hello to all. I'm new to this forum and this web site. I came on because I was doing research on Bulimia because I heard my girl friend last night throwing up. I asked what was wrong and she tried to play it off by saying that she fine and she was just using the washroom. She told me she had a problem when she was younger(12) but was no longer doing it. I was under the impression that there was nothing going on. Until a few days ago I heard funny noises coming out the washroom. No, not those funny noises, but regurgitating noises. I worried then that she was doing it, but didn't want to confront her about it Because of the sensitivity to the issue. I started paying closer attention when she went in the washroom and last night I heard it again and I called her out on it. She told me it was her issue and that she was FINE. I had nothing to worry about that she was just going to try and stop. now, my question to the forum, is how and can some one just "stop" without any therapeutical help? and what can I do, besides support her and be there for her to help her out?? I really don't want her to be doing this for her sake. She says she will stop, but if it's been going on for 13 years can she just really stop?? Any feed back will be helpful, Thanks!!

[Soidhonia]

Hello and welcome to Psych central. If your girlfriend is repetetive then she needs professional help. One of the best things you can do at this time is tell her that you would like her to seek professional help for her issues to be able to get better in time. I hope things get better for you and your girlfriend soon. Take care. Soidhonia

[silver_queen]

My thoughts on this are...

Perhaps she really does want to stop, but perhaps instead she only said that so that you don't worry about her. If she's been doing it for 13 years then she will need a lot of support in order to stop. She doesn't necessarily need therapeutic help - she needs to work out what is causing the eating disorder in the first place - but independent, non-biased people (such as an understanding therapist) are more likely to help her understand that than a well-meaning, if unknowledgeable, friend (the last is just an example, and not describing you). Since she says it's her issue and that she's fine, then maybe she doesn't want to confront the problem. Perhaps for a starter you could tell her you're there for her no matter what...

[shiny]

Well I'm guessing that she has low self respect, so try to comfort her, give her compliments and all that.

[Direction]

Keep reaching out - having been married to someone who suffered with eating disorders - it is a long uphill road.

She will need someone to be there.

[KwalkingDisaster]

well see Ive been living with her problem, it is hard to stop but she can do it as long as you keep supporting her to quit. at first she will seem angry alot and will most likely feel depressed, she will probablly have a relapse but its all apart of getting better. I hope that helps