many people probably tell you this, but you really saved me from making the dumbest decision in my life. i wanted to be thin like they promote... everywhere. and i didn't know how i was going to do it. i was going to resort to what i thought would be a shortcut — being bulimic. thanks a lot because after reading a comment you made, i knew that wasn't the way to go. thanks

sincerely,
relieved

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(2)
Dear Alice,

YES! Bulimia is extremely dangerous! I know from experience. I was bulimic and anorexic for a little over 5 years. It started when I was 13. Trust me, hon, you don't want to go down that road. It's a really hard and long path. Eventually you will start throwing up blood, your hair will fall out, your skin will become so dry that even the most amounts of moisturizer won't work, your throat and stomach will hurt all of the time. You may get burst blood vessels in your eyes and face, your heart will have tons of problems, and you will be tired all of the time. The list goes on and on, and that's only the physical stuff.

Eventually, when people find out, you'll have to go to doctors, therapists, nutritionists, psychiatrists, and maybe even hospitals every week. You will have no life because the eating disorder will take it over, and if it doesn't do that, all of those appointments will. Not to mention, you will be no fun anymore because you will be irritable all of the time. There's more, but it will take me hours to write down everything the eating disorder will take from you, there are so many.

Eating disorders are not fun. They only hurt you in the end. I learned that the hard way. I know how you feel (even though you might not believe that, I do). Bulimia is the hardest eating disorder because it is the least understood. I had it for over 5 years, have been to four different hospitals (one I stayed in for almost a year and wasn't allowed any visits from family or friends, they couldn't even call but once a week!), and lost everything. I'm proud to say that I have been doing well for almost a year now. Listen, try to pick yourself up. Go to a counselor that you trust. Tell him/her EVERYTHING. He/She will help you. It's going to be hard and long, but you can do it. Good luck!

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(3)
Dear Alice,

My daughter died of heart failure and that was attributed to her long-term practice of bulimia. Her name was Julie and she died this year on the 24th of July, 2002. If anyone is in doubt as to whether they should stop the bulimia, I, as a grieving mother, have to say stop please before it is too late. Julie tried time and time again, but not before it was too late to stop for her. Julie was only 34, I should have had more time