I think my co-worker is bulimic how can I tell?

My co-worker/friend is 21yrs. old and very tall but extremly skinny. You can see all her bones.She eats so much when we go out. She has these purtuding eye balls too.Also she gets sick all the time I think cause shes mal nurished.What are some signs of this?

Answers:
It’s important to know that everyone will not have the same symptoms. Some people will have a mix of symptoms and you do not need to have all these symptoms to have an eating disorder.

Psychological signs of bulimia
Uncontrollable urges to eat vast amounts of food
An obsession with food, or feeling ‘out of control’ around food
Distorted perception of body weight and shape
Emotional behaviour and mood swings
Anxiety and depression; low self-esteem, shame and guilt
Isolation - feeling helpless and lonely

Behavioural signs in bulimia
Bingeing and vomiting
Disappearing to the toilet after meals in order to vomit food eaten
Excessive use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
Periods of fasting
Excessive exercise
Secrecy and reluctance to socialise
Shoplifting for food; abnormal amounts of money spent on food
Food disappearing unexpectedly or being secretly hoarded

AFTER SHE EATS FOLLOW HER TO THE BATHROOM BECAUSE THEY THROW UP THEIR FOOD.
www.webmd.com.go there for the best info
It does sound like she may be binging and purging. Pay attention to the next time you guys go out to eat. Does she run to the bathroom after she has finished eating? Is she chewing gum when she comes back?
Bullimia doesn't mean skinny--thats anorexia. Bullimics are usuallt normal weight. She may have a thyroid problem or overactive metabolism.

Here is a link for signs of bullimia:
http://www.mentalhealthchannel.net/eatingdisorders/anorexia/symptoms.shtml
Well, if she pukes on you it is a major giveaway.

Check and see if you have an Employee Assistance Program. Talk to them, and share your concerns.
her breath, having the smell of vomit. Exceccivly chewing gums or mints. Watery, bloodshot eyes.Also frequent bathroom trips within 20 mins of these meals. Also some people will breakout around their mouth and chin.
does she mention any irratation regarding her weight?
does she make it a point to get straight back to the office, home after you go out?
do you know if she dissapear after you eat/get back
does she compare herself to others bodies visually?
when she buys junk food does it last for long? does she eat it in front of people?
goes excercising often?
From your information, she is not bulimic. *If* she does have an eating disorder, then she would be diagnosed as anorexia nervosa, binge-purge type.

After she eats a lot, does she purge?

I think a sensitive way to approach this would be to ask her indirectly. Say, "X, I've noticed that you've seemed tired lately. Is there anything I can do for you? I hope you know that I am always here to listen."

Do not assume that she has an eating disorder. It is possible that she has a thyroid problem, getting chemotherapy, or just has a fast metabolism.

Signs of bulimia include 1) an intense fear of gaining weight 2) obsession with size and body weight 3) inappropriate means of controlling weight 4) binge-purge cycle for at least three months. Signs of anorexia include obsession with body image, loss of menstrual cycle and a body mass index of 17.5 or lower.

Good luck.
Look at the back of her right hand if she is right-handed (left if she is left-handed). If the skin looks kind of red and raw and all the other signs point to bulimia, then she may be bulimic. The reason that her skin would be raw on the back of her hand is that she would use it to gag herself and the stomach acid literally eats the flesh on the hand. This is why bulimia is also bad for the teeth.

Also look for her eating large amounts of food. She might even hide food (maybe in her purse). Some bulimics also use laxatives.
I think you do have cause for concern. Look at her knuckles a lot of people with bulemia have scars from purging. Also does she visit the bathroom directly following meals? She might also have a lot of stomach troubles.

I hate to say this too but I know someone that myself and a friend were concerned about and it turned out she actually found out months later that she had a form of cancer.

Lots of ILLNESSES can actually have these similar symptoms. She might also have a problem with her thyroid. So dont' jump to conclusions just yet but I would keep watching her as the good friend it sounds like you are and go with your instinct and confront her one day if you are then still concerned. Good luck to ya.
The page content post from users, we do not guarantee its accuracy. If you belong to the copyright which contains information, please contact us to remove it.
More Questions...