Bulimia is characterized by binge eating and purging. More than 10 percent of adolescent girls and 3 percent of adolescent boys binge and purge at least once a week, according to the National Assn. of Anorexia Nervosa & Related Disorders (ANRED). Bulimics may use laxatives or excessively exercise to dramatically lose weight. ANRED estimates that eight million Americans have anorexia and about 50 percent of them will develop bulimia. Put differently, about four out of every 100 people have a risk for this type of disordered eating. Learn support a friend or family member who is working to recover from bulimia.
Instructions
1. Practice acceptance. No one with bulimia feels they are in control of this eating disorder until they enter treatment. Typically people with bulimia enter therapy to help them understand their mental illness. While it can be startling to learn that a friend has bulimia, understand that it is so common that your friend is fortunate to be in treatment.
2. Keep things light. Do not be “heavy” with your friend. Dealing with an eating disorder is mentally and physically exhausting. Bulimics suffer from dysmorphia or a distorted body image. They do not believe that they are healthy and strive to constantly control their lives by controlling what they eat and their body weight. Of course, remain sensitive to their recovery but don’t be afraid to offer to do very low-pressure social activities like taking a walk or going to a movie.
3. Offer moral support if you are able to do that. Not everyone can handle interacting with bulimics. Mental illness is treatable but it takes time and relapses do occur. If you have a family member who is bulimic, family and group therapy will help you understand what a bulimic goes through day to day. Understanding the amount of anxiety and pressure that a bulimic experience can give you perspective that their recovery is much more than about their eating habits.
4. Learn as much as you can about bulimia. Attend support groups and also seek out information online (see Resources), read books and talk to the therapist your family is seeing, if you have a family member who is in recovery.
5. Be patient and responsible. If your friend has a particularly bad relapse, be available for them if you can. It may take 5 to 7 years for a person with a serious eating disorder to fully recover. Reliable friends form a support network that anyone in recovery greatly appreciates.
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