<p>I'm having some serious issues with the girl next door. I live in a dorm where she and I both have our own rooms but share a bathroom... and the problem I'm having is that she's a raging bulimic and EVERY DAY like SEVEN times a day she purges and the entire hall hears it and she does this at like, 5:00 am and other times which really kills my sleep, etc. Ever since I've been here I've not gotten much sleep because of her. I do feel for her, I really do, I know it's a mental disorder, but I don't know how to approach her, and I don't know that I even want to because I don't know what I'd even say to her (It's not like you can just tell a bulimic person to stop purging...) ... I just want to have a noise-free week without having to think that my roommate is like, dying or choking to death or something. Can anyone give advice?</p>
<p>iheartpenn..I would contact your RA right away. Not only is she disturbing your well-being (lack of sleep) not to mention how gross it must be to use the bathroom after she's done...she is seriously damaging herself. If others in your hall can hear her maybe several of you can go to the RA. The RA should refer her to counseling...perhaps things are escalating for this girl since school is in session. She may be completely stressed and is trying to have 'control' of her life with disastrous results.</p>
<p>Start by telling your RA. If you are comfortable with asking dorm mates to join you, all the better. Chances are your RA already knows the situation, but you still have to go through him or her to get anything done. The next step is to meet with your faculty master. Let's hope the girl gets proper help. You'll be doing her a favor.</p>
<p>I'd really recommend talking to the roommate first. People who are bulimic really don't like it when knowledge of the issue is spread to other people. Bringing up such a personal issue to the RA may be something your roommate absolutely does not want done. You can try to recommend to your roommate that she could pursue help in various ways, but "forcing" it upon her might make things worse. Bulimia is extremely hard to overcome and even with help, relapse rate is absurdly high. </p>
<p>I say this because I've known a few people who were bulimic very closely. Please talk with your roommate first! It can be a hard subject to bring up because it's so so personal, but I'd advise focusing it more on the fact that you're worried about her health and not so much the fact that it's keeping you from sleeping. Then maybe, if she is willing to open up about it, recommend different plans of action/ways to get help if she wants it.</p>
<p>One thing you can do is call the Counseling Services:</p>
<p>How Can I Help A Friend?</p>
<p>If you are concerned about the well-being of a friend or roommate, you can consult with a CAPS staff by phone or in person. You can discuss your concerns confidentially and get advice on how to best help this person.</p>
<p>Not to alarm you here, but many years ago when I was in college, I had to attend the funeral of a dorm friend who died of congestive heart failure, due to her bulemia. The shock and sadness surrounding the whole tragedy, was only compounded by the immeasurable grief of her parents, who truly did not know. Whatever it takes, do something. You might think that 'everyone knows', but you'd be surprised how people can rationalize things. Talk to the girl, talk to the RA, private health service, whatever...just talk to someone soon. Two years after the death of my classmate, while living off campus, one of my new roommates was also bulemic. We were able to get her help through her family. I know too well the sounds of those bathroom trips and it is painful and you do feel powerless, especially since they often deny the degree of the problem. And both girls I knew were:
-very popular
-very pretty
-had boyfriends
-great grades
-involved in everything
-were admired by peers
-were great at hiding their secret, unless you shared a bathroom with them</p>
<p>My friend who lived with the girl who died felt so guilty and responsible that she didn't suspect, but maybe should have known. She would see her eating jars of peanut butter and M&Ms and yet, was extremely skinny. She always would say that she was 'just lucky' that she had a very high metabolism.</p>