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Knowing The Signs of Bulimia Could Save Your Loved one years of hell!

I wish that my family and friends had known the signs of bulimia. I wish that they had caught me when I was in my early teens.

Having them intervene would have saved me years of hell.

But they didn't know the true signs of bulimia - and that wasn't their fault. They didn't know how skilled bulimics can be at hiding their illness...

People say 'look out for them going to the toilet after eating'... Yea, sure that might work - if that person throws up in the toilet! But, what happens if they throw up in the shower, or into the tupperware under their bed? Or out their bedroom window into the bushes... What then?

They get away with it... And they suffer for years on end. Sometimes for the rest of their lives.

You see, bulimics are terrified of getting caught. I know I was. It was my worst nightmare.

You avoid it at all costs....

But, deep down... You know that it needs to happen. You know you need help. But... You're so ashamed of yourself that you never seek it.

If you're bulimic... Please don't be angry at me for sharing the signs of bulimia. It's important for people to know if somebody that they love is suffering. If they don't know, they can't help.

 

Bulimia Kills - Knowing and sharing the signs of this illness will help prevent people from suffering and even dying. Click here to share Any Bulimia Signs That You know...

 

8 Signs Of Bulimia:
Told By A Recovered bulimic

You can click on the signs of bulimia below to skip down the page.

• Food going missing
• Secrecy around eating
• Eating LOTS of food, but not putting on weight
• Disappears after meals - but, not just to the bathroom
• Uses laxatives, diuretics or enemas
• Excessive exercising
• Becomes defensive and angry when questioned about food
• Has A History of Anorexia

1) Lots of food going missing

Bulimics are very good at hiding the signs of bulimia. Often people suffering from bulimia will eat alone - or when other people are showering, out walking etc. They will offer to clean up the kitchen and eat lots of left over's whilst cleaning up.

So, keep an eye open for signs that binges have taken place. Keep a tab on the food that's in the house - so you can see how much goes missing. If you notice that large amounts keep disappearing, this is a sign of bulimia. Just like the time I ate 28 of Tom's protein bars to satisfy my bulimia binge and bulimia purge.

2) Secrecy Around Eating

This is one of the major signs of bulimia. Bulimics are so ashamed of their food addiction that they hide it at all costs. Often bulimics will hide food in their rooms, or leave the house to eat. They might stay up later than everyone else so that they have the kitchen to themselves.

Here are some things you can do to notice that secret binges have taken place...

• Look in the bins to see if there are large amounts of wrappers and food packaging
• Keep an eye out for food being hidden in handbags for private binges... When I was bulimic I would always have a king-size bar of chocolate in my handbag
• Keep a note of food you buy when you do groceries and where it's going

3) Eating lOTS of food - but having no change in weight

One of the very common signs of bulimia is when somebody eats large quantities of food... but doesn't put on weight.

They might even make excuses for the large quantities they're eating...

I remember one of my excuses for eating huge amounts at dinner time was "I'm so hungry, this is the first proper meal I've had today"

This could fool you into thinking that they are in fact under-eating... when the truth is actually very different.

4) Disappearing after meals

Bulimics often disappear after meals. They might hold off for up to an hour... but eventually they'll need to go. The disgust at food being in their stomach will win. People say to watch out for them going to the toilet... but this is not the only place bulimics will throw up.

When I was bulimic, I would:

• Go for a shower and throw up in the shower or sink
• Say that I was going to visit a friend... then I'd go throw up in a public toilet
• Go to my room and throw up in a container that I kept under my bed
• Throw up out my bedroom window into the bushes
• Wait until nobody was in the kitchen/lounge area and throw up in the insinkerator

As you can see - don't just watch out for someone going to the toilet - keep an eye out on 'disappearing' in general. This is one of the most significant signs of bulimia.

5) Using laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating.

Having an enema isn't one of the most common signs of bulimia... especially in young people still living at home... But, it does happen - so be aware of it!

Using laxatives and diuretics is much more common. This is a difficult bulimia sign to notice... but just keep an eye out for empty pill containers in the rubbish bins. Also, be aware of the persons bowel motions... Push your ear against the toilet door or wall to hear if they're tummy is running.

Laxative abuse has serious dangers associated to it, and contributed to the death of legendary singer and drummer Karen Carpenter. Her signs of bulimia and anorexia weren't acted upon until it was too late.

6) Excessive exercising

Although it is less common, exercise bulimia does exist. Exercise Bulimics will binge on food and then purge by exercising. So be aware of how often the person you're concerned about exercises. Is it normal? Does it seem excessive?

Often bulimics will mix both throwing up and exercising as a their way of purging.

7) Gets Defensive and angry when questioned about food

For bulimics, the topic of food is as nerve racking and shameful as a teenagers first 'sex-talk'!

Even simple comments about your eating make you fly off the wall. You constantly feel as though people are having a go at you. Defensive and angry reactions related to 'food comments' are strong signs of bulimia.

I remember once, we had just finished dinner - and dad caught me picking in the kitchen. Light heartedly he commented on it. I flew off the handle big time. I ran out the house, slammed the door crying - and went and threw up under the bridge down the road.

No wonder my family thought I was a nut case!

Has a History Of Anorexia

Anorexia and Bulimia contain similar characteristics such as restricting the food they digest (either by starving themselves, or purging) and excessive exercise. Sufferers of both disorders are also obsessed with their weight and body shape.

If the person has a history of anorexia, or any other eating disorders... It is likely that their disorder could have developed into bulimia.

Approximately 50% of anorexia sufferers will develop bulimia.

 

Get Help ASAP!

It's critical to figure out if somebody is suffering from bulimia. This is a disease that gets worse if given time. It's important to get help asap.

I hope that reading the signs of bulimia above helps you to figure out if a loved one is suffering.

Knowing the signs of bulimia to look out for could save their life.

 

Related Pages:

• The top 5 warning signs of bulimia
• The weird warning signs of bulimia
• 5 physical bulimia warning signs to look out for
• Psychological symptoms of bulimia that could confirm your suspicions

 

Suspect That Somebody You Love is Bulimic?

From laxative abuse, secrecy around eating and "Bulimia Teeth", there are many different signs to watch out for. If you have noticed odd behaviour in someone you love, it could be due to bulimia. Share the bulimia signs you have noticed here...

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