Does anyone know possible symptoms of Bulimia??

[kdibattista]

I went to a family party yesterday. We are very close to the family but I noticed something that has me concerned. One of the relatives is model skinny.... seriously, Kate Moss skinny. I have known her since she was a little girl and she was always skinny so I never thought anything of it. I was sitting next to her and I can't remember how it happened but all I remember is being able to see the top set of her teeth and I was shocked to see what appears to be a graying of her teeth on the sides. Now when she smiles, there is nothing noticeable... her front teeth that I can see are perfect. At the time I didn't know what to think but now I'm concerned.

She just graduated high school and for the past few years has become very distant. She has recently been seeing a doctor for possible depression. That coupled with what I saw makes me wonder if she has bulimia. Now, I know that's a leap... or is it? I don't know much about it but I do know it can seriously damage your teeth in areas. Can anyone give me any insight?

Thank you

 

[pat fan]

You may be looking more at anorexia than bulimia. Super skinny is more like anorexia in my understanding (I could be wrong). Was she eating? Anorexics don'yt eat, or at least don't eat much. Bulimics are more likely to binge and purge (eating huge amounts of something and then vomiting).

Teeth rotting are one sign as the constant acids from the vomit eat away the enamel on the teeth. Also no or infrequent periods as the body starts to shut down and quit it's normal functions. Any bruising on the back that you could see? My DN has struggled for years with anorexia and I remember her back being very bruised along the spine from constant situps with nothing but skin covering the vertebrea. Awful

I'm sure if you go to webmd or another medical site they would have better info than I do. Just don't google or yahoo it. There are some very sick sites out there promoting this kind of insanity.

 

[paigevz]

Some medications can discolor the teeth..........especially antiseizure drugs.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

That sounds more like Anorexia than Bulimia to me.

I went to a boarding school and eating disorders were very prevalent in the dorms. The stories about the acid from the stomach lining destorying the plumbing isn't that far fetched. However, in bulimics, it's usually dental cavities that are most prevalent. But, if you can check her knuckles and backs of her hand, see if there is any scaring on them. The gag reflex takes over, even when you're self-inducing.

Please note, too, that bulimics and anorexics alike will use laxatives as a measure to purge. For the bulimics, it comes back to the binge and purge, for the anorexics, it's just another way to keep starving the body.

Did you notice "peach fuzz" on her arms or legs? That her skin was drying in areas (dehydration)? Did her hair and nails look normal? Is she over-exercising? This is a typical symptom of both anorexics and bulimics. Again, it's a control issue.

Remember that if she has an eating disorder, it's not something she will fix by herself. It's an overwhelming desire and fear to be skinny. She will need professional treatment and careful supervision.

Best wishes to you and her

 

[my3kids]

If she has always been Kate Moss like then I wouldn't be as concerned as if she had suddenly achieved Kate Moss likeness after years of a more normal weight.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I agree with the others, more likely anorexia. I was bulimic and I was never super skinny. Usually those who are bulimic are of normal weight or even overweight. It's been years since I binged and purged and I am still working on getting my teeth and gums all back to normal.

Eating disorders are about control. And if she is in fact anorexic she has to want help, has to want to make changes. If she's not there yet, just be there for her IF she wants to talk.

It's sad to watch someone you love hurt themselves. But you can't save them. They have to save themselves. This applies even if she doesn't have an eating disorder and is only depressed.

If she has always been skinny, then I might just chalk it up to her depression and perhaps some medication that she might be on.

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks everyone... I feel so much better. I did not notice any of the other things mentioned. As I said, since she was always that way so I never thought about it but yesterday just kinda made me wonder. I will keep a check on her but I guess it probably could be the medication she is on.

 

[pearlieq]

Other things to look for:

--Bad breath
--Injuries/discoloration on the hands, especially around the nails and top joints of the two middle fingers
--Broken capillaries around the eyes and nose (can look like little purple freckle-type things)

Honestly, though, bulimia is pretty easily hidden, especially to the casual observer.

I hope she's OK!!!