I've been throwing up for a little over 2 months so i'm not quite even sure if I am bulimic but if your girlfriend has done it for 3 years, I think this could be a problem. Bulimia isn't always about weight issues because I know when I get into an argument with my parents or stressed out about other things, I go to the bathroom and purge out my food, it makes me feel better in a way. Maybe she used vomiting to relieve her stress as well. And after the stress, it just becomes a habit. I could be wrong, but that's what I think. Good luck with your girlfriend.
Ps. Isn't purging the same thing as self-induced vomiting?

Thanks for the insight. And yes, I made a typo...Purging is the same as forced-vomiting...I meant binging.

We've (my girlfriend and i) talked about this for the past few days now, and she says that she has binged before, but doesn't do it with any regularity. She admits that some of her motivation has to do with weight, but not all of it.

As someone with experience, could you tell me what you feel like before you purge?

I can relate to your girlfriend b/c that is how I felt today. This morning, I woke up feeling nauseous. I thought it was b/c I was hungry. But I felt sicker after I ate. So I threw up. Then I felt normal. But then I got really hungry so I decided to take vacation from work and stay home and order a pizza. I don't know what i'm going to do after that b/c somehow, I don't think I am going to feel like throwing up again. But i'm going to hate myself for eating all that food.

And yes, it can be done out of stress as well. Sometimes, I decide that I am going to be normal, but something at work will set me off and I will throw up even after eating a tiny bit of food, or no food at all, just to relieve the stress.

If she wants someone to talk to, she can e-mail me.

I can't tell if she wants to speak with someone or not. One day she'll tell me that she is interested in help, then the next day she says she can't get help. She has some weird aversion to going to a doctor for physical symptoms, let alone mental symptoms.

Lately she says she's been spitting up blood when she coughs (likely because of her gag reflex, like when she brushes her teeth/tongue, purges, etc.). Since she's been throwing up for three years, on average about once a day, is it possible that she's damaged or irritated her throat to the point that blood is present?

I told her to get to the doc about that at least, but she doesn't want to.

You girlfriend does appear to be exhibiting signs of an eating disorder, which must be for scary for the both of u. I 2 actaully put my bulimia down to stress and went to doctors and successfully fooled them. I am now well and truely stuck, the best advice I can giveu is perhaps consult a doctor about her problem or talk to a support group. Some people develope symptoms of eating disorder -an obbsesssion with weight is not always necessary- the symptoms can very this is when an eating disorder known as ednos-(eating disorder unspecified- something like that anyway). Eating disorders are often classed as self harm, becasue (with out the individual always knowing or being fully aware) they are abusing their body to relieve an underlying tension. It is often an addictive behaviour, becasue after they have harmed themselves (thru purging or binging) they get a physiological release. They then come to associate these feelings of release and calmness with this behaviour. Before I developed my ed (eating disorder) I 2 experienced some those experiences which u described- perhaps ure girlfriend is feeling a need to regain control or inner calmness- at this moment in timeu may both feel helpless. If u feel able to try and support her through eating regular meals together, talking (not neccessarily about her problems)-but just bein a generally great partner that u are already being, this will mean a lot to her, it is often hard to understand eating disorders and they can be hurtful and sad. Its best to seek advice not only for her but for u, so that u understand that alhtough its fantastic to care and love- that u dont get hurt ureself. U cannot control or prevent what she does the more u try to stop it the more u push her away and more isolated she becomes. Dont be hurt if she doesnt tell u anymore, she may be feeling very sensitive- just dont b scared to get help, if the doctor does not give u ne advice turn to help groups like the eating disorder assoc- or whereever theres loads of help out there! Good luck and takecare best wishes mistyblue

Oh by the way blood can be a sign of the throat bein damaged during purgin she needs to get her electrolytes tested out 2.
An aversion of doctors may be a result of fear suggest u will go with her perhaps?

In response to the guy who's gf exhibits some symptoms of an ed...Although I have lived on both ends of the ed spectrum ( anorexic and purging and then now bulimic), I have to admit that it's not always about weight with me. After 2 years of caloric restriction, I got put in a hospital for dehydration among other things ( I have graves disease..A thyroid disorder..The undereating caused major issues with my already poor functioning thyroid).

However, I still make myself sick when I eat to large of a quantity or something I fell is "bad" food. I physically feel sick, but still must induce vomiting on my own..Therefore, it is totally psychological. I feel better immediately following.

I work out 6 days a week with 40-60 min of cardio and weight lifting as a part of my dailt routine. I still maintain my calories at about 1,000 per day. Any more than that and I make myself feel sick. I figure it is better to eat fewer calories and not vomit, than to make myself sick by eating too much at once. I tend to eat throughout the day just to get the minimum 1000 in my body. I would appreciate any insight into finding a treatment that may work for me..Anyone else have a thyroid disorder that is trying to cope with an ed as well?

I can relate to your girlfriend b/c that is how I felt today. This morning, I woke up feeling nauseous. I thought it was b/c I was hungry. But I felt sicker after I ate. So I threw up. Then I felt normal. But then I got really hungry so I decided to order a pizza. I don't know what i'm going to do after that b/c somehow, I don't think I am going to feel like throwing up again. But i'm going to hate myself for eating all that food.


And yes, it can be done out of stress as well. Sometimes, I decide that I am going to be normal, but something will set me off and I will throw up even after eating a tiny bit of food, or no food at all, just to relieve the stress.

It sounds to me like your girlfriend is quietly reaching out for your help. I have had my ED for 12 years now. I was with the same man for five years and tried to do this many times. I would try to get the words but they wouldn't come. So I would make some little hint, hoping he would respond in a manner that would force me to admit my problem. It makes one feel so small and ashamed that it can be hard to just out right admit it. I have only done it twice in 12 years. Maybe you should insist on her taking action. Even if it is just a small step like helping her come to terms with what she is doing. My first step was to buy a book and keep a diary. I kept it next to me while I read. When I came across something that made me feeling anything I wrote it in the book and how it made me feel. I learned alot about myself doing that and I am on a better track.