Does she have bulimia?
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| Wed, 02-01-2006 - 10:33am |
Hi, I hope someone can help me.
My (half)sister is 14 years old (I don't live with her anymore, I'm 22). In the last about 6 months she has lost roughly around 20/25lbs. She is now a pants size 2 - she used to be like size 9. I think she looks good, but my boyfriend has noticed the rapid weight loss in her.
Anyway - She has been having this problem with her throat. She has problems swallowing sometimes and feels like something is stuck between her stomach and throat and it moves up and down. The doctors said is is a common side effect of people who make themselves throw up (i.e. bulimia) but she swears to my parents that she doesn't do this. She is going next week for a test where she has to drink "barium" to see if anything is wrong. I think why would she go through with this horrible test if she knows its because she's throwing up? My parents (my dad + step-mom = her mom + dad) don't often see her eat dinner. She is always out, and her and her friends are really into exercising right now. I have seen her go home with her friends and they all pig out on junk so I always thought she eats like a normal teenager. But then again she has lost a lot of weight....Anyone have any ideas?
I want to tell my parents why don't they set a rule where she has to come home for a good dinner a certain number of times a week but my step-mom doesn't seem to want to take my advice. She seems to think I am just mad that they set WAY more rules for me when I was her age and I just want them to be strict with her. But thats not true - I don't think its unreasonable to expect your 14 year old home for dinner sometimes, right? And they do notice the weight loss but they don't think its an eating disorder.
I would be so grateful for any comments/suggestions. Shes only 14 - I'm worried about her.
Edited 2/2/2006 8:29 am ET by kinky498


Hi. I wanted to bump this up and also, I'm sorry if I'm not posting in the right place. Maybe there's another board that would be more appropriate?
I just thought you guys might be able to help me figure out if she has a problem, like are these common signs of an eating disorder? I don't want to sound ignorant but I really don't know much about bulimia. Maybe someone has an idea of how i might be able to help her.
Thanks again to anyone who might be able to help, I hope to hear some replies soon.
Hi - welcome to the board. I am very sorry I have not replied sooner.
I agree that the rapid weight loss could be a sign of a bigger problem, and also the fact that she has problems with her throat. I also agree that there is nothing wrong with expecting your 14-year old home for dinner EVERY night. I personally don't see why someone that age needs to be out every night for dinner, but that's just my opinion.
Have you tried talking to your sister? I don't know how close you are, but you could just bring up your concerns and that you are worried about her. The thing to be careful about is how you word it. For example, instead of telling her you think she has bulimia, talk about the rapid weight loss you have noticed along with the other things you have mentioned. You can also go to www.somethingfishy.org and click on the 'Helping Loved-Ones' link on the left. Not to say that you cannot post here anymore - please feel free to post any time you need or want to - but that link has great info on what to do and what not to do.
I hope this helps. Please keep us posted.
Love & hugs, Kristina
“It helps to resign as the controller of your fate. All that energy we expend to keep things running right is not what keeps things running right.” ANNE LAMOTT
The opinions I have expressed here are from my own experience and are not intended as medical advice or to take the place of your own physician's advice.
Love & hugs, Kristina
Hi --
I am very sorry also that I did not get to your post sooner.
~Diana~