seeking advice ❤️

[bobble4242]

recently my bulimia has gotten worse, in the past week it’s been near every night, not on here to go into details around that more needing help. how do i get help locally, i don’t want my parents or anyone close to me to find out but i’ve never seeked help like this alone before as i’m young so my mum would always take me anywhere i needed to go i want help i’m scared it effects my relationship because my boyfriend is noticing changes around me and begs me to get help and it makes me so upset. thank you

[bobble4242]

also i’ve been using a calorie counting app and going to the gym more often, i find the first thing i do before i eat is consider the calories and think about what i’ll have to do to burn it off later, i’m only 16 and weigh about 8.5 stone i’ve not noticed a drop in weight just been extremely tired and increased headaches is that normal symptoms?

[Kessa in reply to bobble4242]

I used to get headaches when I low- restricted. It turned up it was lack of vitamins and iron. Could be some lack of nutrients, I also get very tired easily and i get chest pain

I was thinking..maybe with bulimia could be electrolytes imbalance? That is really dangerous please stay safe and get checked by your gp if you feel sick often

[bobble4242 in reply to Kessa]

i feel the urge to be sick and get full easily

[Kessa in reply to bobble4242]

Sorry my ignorance and I don't want to intrude but..if by " be sick" you mean throwing up or using diuretics/ diets pills that is very dangerous because can cause imbalance in the electrolytes in your body. I hope u stay safe, especially because u mentioned headaches and feeling tired.

I don't feel sick but I restrict the calories and that can cause headaches as well. I was given supplements and it got a bit better so maybe you can ask your gp for advice..

[bobble4242 in reply to Kessa]

no no problem, i’m on here to be open and find people to help, by being sick i mean forcefully throwing up myself, sorry to be so in detail but i really don’t know what to do so i want to be as honest as possible to get the best help, my headaches are the most noticeable thing lately and recently has been my worst time for throwing up. sorry if this is too much, i’m so thankful for your information ❤️

[Kessa in reply to bobble4242]

It's not too much! We are all here to support each other sorry not to be very helpful, I don't know much about bulimia effects but I think you could definitely ring some helpline and get some information about physical symptoms and what you can do, or go to your gp for a check..I hear a lot of people struggle with headaches among eating disorders but I'll be honest with u these things scares me so much especially because we tend to understimate the severity of it, as if it's not a big deal.. so I hope you're careful with the exercise and u know, binging or purging and stuff like that..take care of yourself..my GP gave me a leaflet about eating disorders and some of them have information about how to stay safe and other info..

Sometimes I found forums are useful too if they're not too triggering

[crazycrossstitcher]

first step is a trip to the GP and ask for a referral. You can also ring the confidential helpline at ABC - they are really good with advice. I know its hard admitting you've a problem so its great you want help - so do go to the GP. I shared my situation with my parents after a year of struggling - and it was one of the hardest things I ever did - but one of the best - we got closer and talked more openly - they really supported me and helped me access the help I needed - so its worth thinking about depending on the relationship you have with them.

[bobble4242 in reply to crazycrossstitcher]

thank you ❤️

[Kessa]

I think you could go to see your gp and explain how you feel, he should then refer you to a specialist service in your area. It's nice that u have a boyfriend to count on..maybe if you feel like and you feel comfortable you could ask him to go with you. I did the the same with my partner and was actually nice not to go alone and have some support. But just do it if you feel like you would feel ok opening up with him being there.

Also u could check for counseling services in your school? Idk because you are young so idk about your school but I know some schools or universities have some counsellors you can speak to confidentially.

I get what u mean by wanting to keep this by yourself. I struggle to speak to my parents too about it. ( But they found out eventually)

I don't want them to worry but I regret not having tried harder to open up to them and be honest ( I told a lot of lies to them in the past about my eating)..I think I would have had much more support, but I guess it depends on the relationship you have with them

[bobble4242 in reply to Kessa]

thank you so much! my boyfriend said he would do anything to help i’m very lucky to have him, i have a good relationship with my parents but not good enough to speak so openly with them, i really appreciate the adivce

[Kessa in reply to bobble4242]

I get it I feel like it's a personal subject as well and difficult to talk about sometimes

[agse01]

Thanks you for reaching out and sharing what you are struggling with. I know what you are feeling can be scary and overwhelming. I know what it's like to feel alone, the shame of what I am doing (purging) and feeling like I can't share my "secret." I have been there. I know it's not easy, but I would highly encourage you to reach out to someone that you trust and share your struggles. I always thought that no one would want to know. No one would be able to help me. I would just be a burden and most importantly the shame that I felt was overwhelming. Those were all just lies that I was believing that kept me exactly where I was at. What I didn't know at the time was that my loved ones already knew I was struggling. They wanted to help me, but I had put up walls and wouldn't let anyone in and they didn't know how to reach me even though they desperately wanted to help. It takes a lot of courage to reach out. I know that, but you need support and love to overcome this. I admire you for wanting to get therapy. It's hard to admit you have a problem and admit you need professional help. I'm going to give you a phone number to a group of counselors that would love to talk to you. It is absolutely free and they can help you find resources in your area. That number is 1-855-771-4357. They would be a tremendous amount of help. I know this is not easy, but healing is possible! Wishing you the best!