Helping Friends And Loved Ones With Their Emotional Issues / Question
Published: April 2, 2008

Dear TeenHealthFX,

My friend makes herself sick. I tried talking to her about it but she says she is ok. She says she doesn't have an eating disorder because she doesn't binge or anything. She just throws up normal meals to make herself loose weight. Is this still an eating disorder? What can I do because it isn't my place to tell anyone, if she wants help i will help her, but i promised not to tell anyone. It is really hard to see her this way but she in complete denial. What do I do? please help, thanks.

Signed: My Friend Makes Herself Sick

Dear My Friend Makes Herself Sick,

 

If your friend is intentionally throwing up after meals as a method of maintaining or losing weight, she definitely does have an eating disorder. There are many different kinds of eating disorders, but all types generally involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, as well as eating habits that disrupt the way the body normally functions and daily life activities. So just because your friend is not binge eating prior to throwing up does not change that she is, in fact, dealing with an eating disorder. Nor does it negate the harm she is doing to her physical well-being.

 

Regardless of whether you promised not to tell, if you love your friend and care about what happens to her it is most definitely your place to tell an adult what is going on with her eating habits. Listed below are the physical complications that can result from induced vomiting, as well as mental health issues which often accompany eating disorders. These are all serious issues, and your friend’s physical and emotional well-being will most certainly be compromised over time if she does not get the help she needs from medical and mental health specialists trained to work with these types of problems.

 

Let your friend know that if she is not willing to talk to an adult about these problems, that you will. She will most likely be angry at you – but in the end it is better for her to be angry at you then to subject her body to the terrible complications that can result from purging in this way. You can talk to her parents, a counselor at school, the school nurse, a teacher, or any other trusted adult who can intervene on your friend’s behalf in a helpful way.

 

You can also give your friend the following referral information:

• National Eating Disorders Association, 1-800-931-2237, for information and referral services.
• Eating Disorders Program at Atlantic Health, 908-522-5757, for information and to set up an evaluation.
• If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers.

 

And, as mentioned above, here is a list of the physical effects and mental health issues that can result from, and be associated with, this kind of eating disorder. This is important information for you and your friend to review so you are both clear about the severity of her current behaviors.

 

Physical complications of inducing vomiting can include:

• Death can occur from chemical imbalances and the loss of important minerals, such as potassium
• Anemia
• Heart problems, such as abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure
• Tooth decay, as the acid in vomit can wear down the outer layer of the teeth
• Inflammation and damage to the esophagus (the tube in the throat through which food passes to the stomach) and stomach
• Enlarge the glands near the cheeks, giving the appearance of swollen cheeks
• In females, absence of a period
• Peptic ulcers, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, which is a large gland that aids digestion)
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as long-term constipation, bloating or nausea
• Electrolyte abnormalities, such as low blood potassium, sodium and chloride

In addition to the host of physical complications, people with certain types of eating disorders also commonly have other mental health issues, too. They may include:

• Depression
• Suicide
• Anxiety disorders
• Drug abuse
• Alcohol abuse
• Excessive stress
• Self-injury behaviors

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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