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I have a disease.. Bulimia Nervosa... I need help!
So I have a disease.. Bulimia Nervosa... i've had it for around 4 or 5 years.. i'm not super skinny because i'm trying to get better.. but its soo hard to do this on my own.. my boyfriend tries to help but he doesn't know what i'm going through.. same with my friends.. they think i can just stop and everything will be ok.. i can't everytime i do i just start right back and keep doing it. My parents cant afford anything major so i haven't told them.. my boyfriend and best friend are the only people that know.. i don't know what to do.. its like one step forward and three steps back.. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME FIGHT THIS!
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I know exactly how you feel. I started out being anorexic and it eventually turned in to the same thing you have. Recovering from an eating disorder is hard, because it is an addiction that some people don't take as seriously. You need support, and if you can't get that from your friends because you feel like they don't understand, then you should consider joining a group of people battling the same problems as you. There are various support websites online that you can join and hear stories like yours and how they overcame the addiction. They offer great support and empathy. Also, remind yourself that eating disorders destroy your body, little by little. Here is a website that has tons of statistics about eating disorders:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Anyways, if you have more questions related to this or want somebody to talk to, I'd be happy to help. I hope this helped you and good luck with everything :)
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You have an eating disorder; you have done the hardest part of overcoming this disorder and getting better by acknowledging that you have this disorder. Where you have made a misjudgement is deciding for your parents what they can and cannot afford.
If your parents are working and either one of them has health insurance that you are covered under than they can afford to have you treated by a doctor. As long as you are under 21 and living at home or at school the insurance will cover the doctor. If your parents do not have health insurance through their employer there is still help for you.
Bulimia Nervosa is considered a life threatening illness. As such you can go to any hospital emergency room to seek treatment. They must treat you regardless of you or your parents ability to pay. As a minor there are Federal and state programs to cover the cost of children's medical services for the uninsured.
This is the type of illness that you cannot conquer alone. You need the help of qualified doctors. As well as the support of your parents and your friends. The damage you are doing to yourself may still be correctable as far as what the acids you bring up when vomiting do to your esophagus. What you may not be aware of and what is life threatening is every time you vomit you are also upsetting the electrolyte balance in your body.
The electrolyte balance is what, in simple terms, keeps your body functioning properly. They are the basis of the electrical system of your body. When these get out of balance your vital organs can not function properly. You suffer from kidney problems up to and including kidney failure. Liver and heart problems including heart attack and heart failure. How much these organs are effected depends on how badly the electrolytes get out of balance.
What is important for you to understand is,that organ damage and organ failure is a real possibility if you continue to not seek treatment for your illness. Medical treatment and support is the only way you can overcome this illness.
As a parent I can say to you; never count your parents ability to do something. Especially when it comes to the health and well being of our children. You have a serious illness; one that is life threatening. If you were my daughter I would move heaven and earth to find away to get you the medical treatment you need. I'm sure your parents are no different than I am.
Sure we may complain about not having money to do things we want to do. We may complain how bills are stacking up. But that is all they are complaints because we have always wanted to be able to have better. The economy right now is working against us and no matter how hard we work we don't seem to be able to get a head. It's frustrating. But if mom, dad or one of the children get sick we find the money needed to get them the medicine they need and to the doctors they need to see.
So talk to your parents to night. Tell them that is going on with you. Yes they will get up set. First because you have kept this a secrete for so long. Second at them selves for not seeing this. Then they will calm down and do what is needed to get you well.
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I think bulimia is an addiction like any other. It takes a long time to change habits and the best way, I think, is to take it a minute at a time. Make a list of rewards, an afternoon's shopping, a spa treatment, a good book, a night out with friends, new pair of shoes, a walk in the park - anything you really like to do that relaxes you and takes your mind off the craving.
Then if you manage a hour without making yourself sick, have a reward. A whole morning without thinking about doing anything bulimia-related would surely be a massive reward - a night out perhaps. By doing this, you'll start to associate relaxation and enjoyment with no bulimia and you'll have good memories to look back on too.
Hopefully, you'll gradually increase the amount of time between bulimic events, until it stops taking up all your waking thoughts and you can actually forget about it for a while.
I really hope this helps you, let me know how you get on? Keep in touch if you feel you need more help, I'm here to fight it with you. Take care of yourself. Best wishes X.
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