Expert: Joanne - 5/30/2005

Question
yeah my girlfriend is 5'3" and weighed 118 about 2 months ago and now she is aboiut 97 lbs she has been throwing up on more than a few occasions is occasionally very weak usually can't eat more than like a half a snickers bar occasionally she can eat like 2 pieces of pizza and that makes me very proud but she should be able to eat more she doesn't do it on purpose but i am worried

Answer
You are right to be worried - your girlfriend sounds as though she is suffering from an eating disorder, or maybe some other serious medical problem that she needs help for.

You mention that she throws up after eating - is she making herself sick, or is it just happening?  If she is doing it intentionally, she may be suffering from an eating disorder, if not it maybe some underlying medical problem!

Ensure that you are not commenting on her weight loss - if she is suffering from an eating disorder, compliments can fuel the problem.  Making an issue of what she is eating, or not as the case may be, also draws attention to the food, and can be used as fuel.

Please help her to seek the help she needs - although she may not seem to want it, or appear to hate you for it, I know from experience that deep down you are crying out for some one to take on that responsibility.  It will ot feel as though she has given up or is weak, but that someone else has interfered, giving her an excuse to look for that help.  I was so relieved when someone else discovered my problems and sought help for me - I didn't need to break down and admit defeat for it to happen!

Please feel free to contact me again for any ather answers you may need - and let me know how things work out for you and yor girlfriend.

Love Holly