TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I've been a bulimic for about three years on and off. Sometimes I get fed up with myself and let myself just eat and be the way I am, but other times I get to the point where I am sick of just about everything in general and I'll purge. It really hurts, because lately I've had blood come up and that's not good... And when I don't want to throw it up I feel like crap and starve myself instead. The longest I've gone without food is four days and then I just HAD to eat something or I felt like I was going to die. I also have this habit where I eat nothing but tums and antacids because it keeps my stomach lining safe from the stomach acid. I asked my mom. She said that a way to get rid of stomach acid is to take tums... She doesn't know that I don't eat and stuff... She just thinks my weight fluctuates. I really hate who I've become and what I put myself through. My mom's skinny and so is the rest of my family. It always makes me feel like such a failure and outcast. I used to cut, but my principal helped me through that and I haven't cut in three months! I'm just a mess sometimes... I mean I weigh 135 and I'm 5'4" so I don't know... I just feel fat sometimes.

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Thank you so much for contacting TEEN LINE. It was a very big step for you to take and im proud of you for doing it! First let me say that im glad you haven't been cutting and i'm imagining you feel very confused and even stressed right now. Have you tried to do anything to help release your pain besides cutting or purging? Also, have you tried talking to a trusted adult or friend? Maybe you can talk to your principal again since he seems to be very understanding?

Here is the number for the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) 1-800-931-2237. Im sure that they can help you! If you ever need anything else do not hesitate to call us, any day of the week from 6pm-10pm: 310-855-4673 or 951-826-4673 or try our Live Chat.

--A TEENLINE listener