[princesscookie19]

SOoo My question is how do you help a bulimic? any tips?

[MsLady]

I was never bulimic or an anorexic but for many years, I didn't enjoy food. I was underweight for all of my childhood and most of my 20's and early 30's. I hated cooking. I had no drive to do it (at first).

I then did some extensive testing and discovered I had a long list of foods my body was sensitive to.. all of which were my daily foods. No wonder.

I also grew up in the generation that margarine was "healthier" than butter.. eggs were not healthy.. healthy fats raised cholesterol levels.. cereals were breakfast staples, grains were an essential part of the food groups.. etc.

So I ate, dealt with daily/morning cramps, bloated, and suffered from brain fog, poor memory and attention, and chronic fatigue. I felt like crap every day. I believe it can lead a percentage of people to develop eating disorders.

I changed my diet and habits, significantly. I now prefer and enjoy wholesome foods cooked at home - by me. I'm healthier than I've ever been, in my mid 40s.

I do believe diet is important! Learn how to eat in a healthy way. What that means to all of us, varies.

[princesscookie19]

Yes but it cames down to eating healthy and eating celery and salads is that over doing it?

[Open Eyes]

It typically is a problem with control more than enjoying food. Also often it can be connected to body dysphoria challenges.

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

It typically is a problem with control more than enjoying food. Also often it can be connected to body dysphoria challenges.

Typically, yes. I also think food diversions play a role in this.

[The_little_didgee]

Does texture have anything to do with it?

[Rive1976]

I dont think it has anything at all to do with liking food. I love food but I found myself throwing up for so many years. I didnt realize at the time it had anything to my weight. I didnt want to get fatter. I read somewhere that eating disorders stem from being sexually abused as a child and not feeling in control because of it. Dont quote me on that though. I never followed up on that article. Im not sure why but several years ago that went away (the desire to throw up).

[eskielover]

Seriously, there is no way you can help anyone overcome an ED. I struggled with anorexia for years several times. ED's are something the person themselves has to come to terms with & make the changes within themselves & it usually takes qualified professional help even though for me it just took leaving the environment that was creating situations that caused the mental health reactions I waa having. Professional help just reinforced that leaving was what I needed to do & learn skills I didn't have when I lived in that environment

[sarahsweets]

I dont believe a person's job is to help someone with an ED to like food again. It is much deeper than learning to like food.

[princesscookie19]

Yes but if you vomit so much its what food made you have a good purge.. Like I like ice-cream only because its so easy to vomit not because of the taste.Your mind goes somewhere esle and when your in "binge mode" its hard to stay away from the toilet. ALso I believe bulimics have a better body than what an anorexic person would have like longer arms and a small butt you know. Being bulimic does more damage than a starving person wouldnt have(as much) I seen on one website a girl just died in front of the toilet and the picture showed her over bloated belly coz her stomach got too full and she just collapsed. Thats the only reason I wanted help.

[Mountaindewed]

Do you “want” to have an eating disorder and be sick? Because it sounds like you do and you like the attention you are getting.

[Fuzzybear]

I also think it's much deeper than learning to like food again. I think there are deeper issues around control and maybe some trauma in childhood.

[eskielover]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

I also think it's much deeper than learning to like food again. I think there are deeper issues around control and maybe some trauma in childhood.

Good post Fuzzy
ED's are ALWAYS about deeper issues & then the behavior becomes an addiction.....so there is lots involved & has nothing to do with liking or disliking food

[princesscookie19]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

Do you “want” to have an eating disorder and be sick? Because it sounds like you do and you like the attention you are getting.

Well not really but I smell of sick and Iv had bulimia for over 5yrs and Yes I am sick because ofn vomiting up my food alot. And within the few years Iv learnt to only eat & vomit up foods that are easy to do. Im not sure if I had a bad childhood or anything that really upset me but I do this that I have a problem if its just me being upset over somthing small I do not know of.