What to do if your friend is bulimic?

How to Help a Friend with Bulimia

- Talk to your friend about your concerns in a supportive way. Express that you're concerned about their physical and emotional health, and let them know that you're there to listen and support them.

- Encourage them to seek professional help. Bulimia is a serious mental health condition that requires treatment from a qualified therapist and/or doctor.

- Offer to be there for them. Let them know that you're there to support them during their recovery, and be there for them as a friend.

- Be a positive role model. This doesn't mean you have to be perfect, but try to model positive eating and body image habits.

- Be patient. Recovery from bulimia takes time and effort, so be patient with your friend as they work through their challenges.

- Educate yourself about bulimia. This will help you to understand your friend's condition and to be a better support for them.

- Encourage your friend to be open with you about their condition, let them know it isn't embarrassing to need support.

- Be there to support your friend in any way that you can.

Here are some things to avoid saying or doing:

- Don't criticize your friend's weight or appearance.

- Don't tell them to just stop purging or bingeing.

- Don't try to force them to eat or drink anything they don't want to.

- Don't give them advice about how to purge or binge.

- Don't share your own negative thoughts about food, weight, or body image.

- Don't force your friend to talk about their bulimia if they don't want to.

If you are worried that your friend is in immediate danger, call 911 or take them to the emergency room.

Additional Resources

- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): 1-800-931-2237 or online at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

- The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA): 1-855-820-2332 or online at www.bedaonline.com

- The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness (AEDA): 1-866-633-4220 or online at www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com

- The American Psychological Association (APA): 1-800-347-4222 or online at www.apa.org