I'm worried about my roommate who spends a lot of time in the bathroom after meals--I think she may be throwing up to keep her weight down. What should I do?

There are other possible reasons your roommate spends time in the bathroom after meals. She could have a food intolerance that causes cramping and/or diarrhea soon after eating, so she feels safest heading to the bathroom. If you are actually hearing her throwing up, then purging her meal is very likely. You can tell her you are concerned for her health and well-being and can hear her throwing up. If she denies it, then she is saying she is not yet ready for help.

It is best to suggest that you are willing to go with her, if that is something that would help her, to a WWU counselor, nutritionist or clinician about the problem. Or, if she doesn't want a support person along, suggest that she can get help at the Counseling Center or Student Health Center if she has problems with eating or with her stomach. Making sure she knows you are concerned is the first step, but it is not your responsibility to "fix" the problem she has, though you can support her in finding help for herself.

Friends and family members of people with eating disorders come to the Counseling Center for advice for themselves in how to cope with the behaviors. That may be a great idea for yourself.

                     ~The Doc