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Q: My sister has really strange eating habits, but it doesn't sound like an eating disorder that I have heard of. She eats less than 100 calories for breakfast. At school she eats grapes for lunch and throws away her sandwich. She tries not to let anyone see her do it, but I have seen her do it all week. At supper, she eats normally because my parents saw that she wasn't eating as much and she doesn't want them to know.

One day at lunch I saw her eating half of her sandwich. But when we got home, I heard her trying to make herself throw up in the bathroom. She didn't succeed, but maybe that's because she is afraid of throwing up.

Maybe I am making too much of things, but what does this sound like to you? Any help is appreciated. :)

Some anorexics purge if they're forced to eat. Since you say you've heard of eating disorders, I assume you know anorexia is the starving-yourself thing and bulimia is usually the binge-eating-then-puking thing.
I've been in her situation, minus the puking. I didn't realize how much trouble I was in until my choir director pulled me aside and asked me who I was and what I had done with the real me. Then I tried to eat and it made me feel sick.
Talk to your sister. How much do you know about anorexia? If not much, explain to her the dangers of it. She needs to know that if she continues this it's going to have the opposite effect on her body. Either she's trying to lose weight and going about it exactly the wrong way, or she has control issues.
If it's a weight loss thing, then explain to her the effects of starving her body and get her feeling like she HAS to fix this right now. If it's a control thing, then your parents need to be involved.
Either way, approach her NOW and find out what's going on with her. First talk to her yourself. If she doesn't respond or pretends not to know what you're talking about, talk to your parents. I wouldn't go to them first, though they may be concerned, because she'll feel betrayed, and you want her to feel that you're on her side. See if you can help her. Jolt her out of whatever is going through her head with cold, hard facts.
You're welcome to IM me at SirenCytherea or drop a question in my inbox if you want help figuring out what to say to her, or help with anything else.
Good luck.
-Siren =)

Rating: 5

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Yours was the most helpful answer. Have a great day. :)

bio

I'm a laid-back 26 year old with a Psychology BA, starting my MA program, and working my way into the field as quickly as I can. It took me an extra Bachelor's degree (in vocal performance and creative writing) to figure it out, but I was put on this Earth to help, to heal, and to love.

I have made the decision to dedicate my life and career to helping others. I am here to do just that.

I've been a member since 2004, and since I signed up, I've gone through quite a lot and learned quite a lot from it. I'm here to give guidance where I had none; no one should have to go through the difficulties I went through alone.

Feel free to visit my website/blog, if you want to read my experience with domestic violence and my thoughts on it.

***While I do tend to answer mental health and other health-related or medicine-related questions, I am by NO MEANS a licensed physician or practitioner of any sort. Any and all advice I give for these questions is from my own experience or studies.***

If you need to get a hold of me quickly, my screen name on AIM is SirenCytherea. Just let me know you found me here.

I'm a strong believer in the idea that there are no stupid questions except the ones left unasked, so, please, keep an open mind, heart, and mouth.

Siren