My friend makes herself throw up to stay thin. Is that bulimia?

Question

How many times does a person need to throw up after eating before she has bulimia. My best friend throws up sometimes after eating a big meal to stay thin. She says she doesn’t have a problem because she only does it like once every 2 weeks or so. Is this something that is going to get worse for her like an addiction or is she right that she can control it. I am 17 and she is 15 but I don’t know what to advise her. She is a very mature person.

William Anderson · Accepted Answer

Whether or not your friend meets clinical criteria for a diagnostic label doesn't really matter. Making yourself throw up to be thin is unhealthy and disordered. It can cause big problems if she does not stop. The worst is a condition where she loses control, called Bulimia Nervosa, where all types of serious problems occur, even death. Your friend is playing with fire, lighting the fuse to a bomb that can ruin her life. It will get worse if she doesn't stop. It will not stay as it is.

I hope your friend is mature enough to realize that she does not know enough about this. She needs to be listening to therapists who specialize in eating disorders and believing them, rather than other bulimics who have the disorder.

Show her my answer to your question and encourage her to talk to a counselor.

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