Talking to Someone with Bulimia

Eating disorders can be extremely damaging to a person, both mentally and physically. Those with eating disorders such as bulimia often face problems with low self esteem and a poor self image, and it can be tough to talk to them about their problem without making them feel even worse about themselves. It’s important to address an issue with an eating disorder, however, since the disorders themselves can be so damaging to ones health that death occurs relatively commonly as a consequence to the lack of nutrition. Not getting enough food can do numerous negative things to the body, and one may develop an irregular heartbeat if the eating disorder has progressed for long enough. In this article, we’ll offer some tips on how to speak to a bulimic about their problem, helping them as much as you can without making them feel ashamed of their condition.

The first thing that you can do to help someone who has a problem with bulimia is to set aside a period of time to speak to them directly. Your talk should be organized to occur in a place that is a comfortable, private setting so that the individual feels safer speaking about their problem. Be sure to avoid any type of distractions when you have your conversation, and turn off the TV, the radio, or anything else that may be hindering the line of communication you are trying to establish. When you are speaking about an eating disorder, you need to approach the subject with caution. One generally recommended practice to engage in is to express your concern that they may be having some problems and provide them with some memories in the recent past about when you were concerned about them. Let them know that many cases of eating disorders are not solvable on a personal level, and that seeking professional help may be one of the only ways to help them out of their disorder. At the very least, you should ask that they speak to a doctor or a counselor about their eating habits so that they can get an educated opinion on what they can do. It’s important not to get confrontational when speaking to the individual; they may feel cornered and go on the defensive, causing your message of compassion to be lost. Never say things like ‘Why can’t you just stop purging?’ These types of statements only cause the individual to feel ashamed, and they are likely already having some problems with depression from the disorder.

You should realize that bulimia is not a simple problem and it’s a psychological issue that can be very tough to overcome. Let your friend know that the reason that you are expressing concern is that you are worried that your friend may be unhappy and unhealthy, and that you just want to see the best for them. With any luck, they’ll be able to see that you are truly looking out for their best interests and may seek professional help.