I think my roommate has an eating disorder?!
Question: I think my roommate has an eating disorder.?
I rent part of my home to someone who is supposedly health conscious. This person eats mostly all organic, lots of salad and fruit, nuts, detoxes, etc, avoids red meats or any meats. After sharing space with the person for a few months, I have noticed my roommate goes directly to bathroom after eating, and yesterday I was on my way to my room and heard my roommate getting sick. The person is very quiet about it, I have heard it before but faintly, so did not think the person was purging. My roommate is recently divorced, I am not close enough to discuss this with them, but wonder if this could be part of the reason for the divorce. I have a big home and my roommate rents part of it, and other than sharing bathroom kitchen we are not best buddies and don't hang out together. Should I mind my own business and not say a word, what to do is the question, if anything at all.? My roommate is also thin and never was obese to begin with, it seems almost an obsession with this person to eat healthy and only the right things, but throwing up is defeating the purpose of eating healthy, anyone else experience this.? I am pretty sure the person is purging and don't think it is because of the food not agreeing with them, I really think my roommate is doing it purposely. I also think they know enough about health to know it is bad, any suggestions.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
I can relate to how you are feeling here. Only in my case, it is my girlfriend whom I suspect has an Eating Disorder.
Unfortunately, it certainly sounds like your room mate is displaying signs/symptoms of an Anorexic/Bulimia. Although, as you don't know for sure, as hard as it is, you should refrain from making any assumptions/accusations just yet.
I honestly don't know what to suggest. It's none of your business, but you feel complied to get involved and try and help, right .?
Hmmm. My advice would probably be to approach him about the issue. Don't expect him to open up to your staright away though. Chances are he is trying to hide his behaviour and therefore will be embrassed and shocked at being found out. Though, hopefully, he will be glad that you care and will be willing to accept your support. The thought of knowing that he now has someone to talk to, someone to confide in may make him feel a bit better. Not so alone in the world, you know .? Perhaps you could start spending a bit of time with him. Even if it is just watching a movie together. I believe Anorexics have tendicies to isolate themselves from society as much as possible so often end up having no/very few friends.
Another thing I would suggest is that if you do decide to talk to him about it, make sure no-one else is around. He is much more likely to open up to you/be honest if it is just the 2 of you. Reasure him that you will keep anything she says to you confidential.
P.S Have you considered that the divorce could actually be the reason for this Eating Disorder starting in comparason to the Eating Disorder ( if that's what it is ) being the reason for the divorce. The stress could have triggered him. Perhaps it made him feel as if he was not good enough.Health Question & Answer
Unfortunately, it certainly sounds like your room mate is displaying signs/symptoms of an Anorexic/Bulimia. Although, as you don't know for sure, as hard as it is, you should refrain from making any assumptions/accusations just yet.
I honestly don't know what to suggest. It's none of your business, but you feel complied to get involved and try and help, right .?
Hmmm. My advice would probably be to approach him about the issue. Don't expect him to open up to your staright away though. Chances are he is trying to hide his behaviour and therefore will be embrassed and shocked at being found out. Though, hopefully, he will be glad that you care and will be willing to accept your support. The thought of knowing that he now has someone to talk to, someone to confide in may make him feel a bit better. Not so alone in the world, you know .? Perhaps you could start spending a bit of time with him. Even if it is just watching a movie together. I believe Anorexics have tendicies to isolate themselves from society as much as possible so often end up having no/very few friends.
Another thing I would suggest is that if you do decide to talk to him about it, make sure no-one else is around. He is much more likely to open up to you/be honest if it is just the 2 of you. Reasure him that you will keep anything she says to you confidential.
P.S Have you considered that the divorce could actually be the reason for this Eating Disorder starting in comparason to the Eating Disorder ( if that's what it is ) being the reason for the divorce. The stress could have triggered him. Perhaps it made him feel as if he was not good enough.Health Question & Answer
Try to be sure its not the food. All them veggies seem to go in and out pretty quickly leaving people go to go to the rr soon after eating like that.
maybe bring it up in a convo. maybe ask if she's had any problems and explain some of your own if you have any. maybe she will open up to youHealth Question & Answer
maybe bring it up in a convo. maybe ask if she's had any problems and explain some of your own if you have any. maybe she will open up to youHealth Question & Answer
You'd have to "accidentally" catch her getting sick after eating probably more than once -- like knock on the bathroom door and say you have to use it pretty badly, ask if she's ok... that sort of thing, or even time yourself to run to the bathroom just when she's done eating. Disrupt, disrupt, disrupt. Get in the way. Don't let her hide it or cover it up so easily. But if you confront her without enough evidence, she's going to deny it big time and then hide it even more -- wait till you're gone, won't eat around you, that sort of thing. It's good of you to be concerned for her health and well being.
You could in the meantime try a simple vague discussion about diet and exercise and how you're doing with it, what's good, what's bad, what works, what doesn't.Health Question & Answer
You could in the meantime try a simple vague discussion about diet and exercise and how you're doing with it, what's good, what's bad, what works, what doesn't.Health Question & Answer
i cannot stress how important it is to talk to him about this. he definitly has an eating disorder. no questions asked. i mean if he has been doing this repeadidly for two months it isnt just a coinsidence. you need to get help. bulemia is very serious. if it gets bad enough it could end him up in the hospital and he could possibly die. this shouldnt be taken lightly. you need to get help as soon as possible! good luckHealth Question & Answer
I would say since you are not close with her at all you talking to her is not going to help her. But I could see where you would want to, if she by chance passed away from purging all the time then you would feel bad about not trying to reach out to her. If it was me I would just ask her if she was ok and tell her I overheard her getting sick and was concerned. Something coy and harmless. See how she reacts and take it from there.Health Question & Answer