<p>My roommates know that I have bulimic tendencies. I'm not interested in talking to anyone about it right now and really, the less people know the better. Are they under any obligation to tell anyone else, such as my RA? And if they do tell him, will I be forced to see a therapist or something? Any knowledge on this subject would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Are you asking us for advice on how to avoid getting help when you already know that you have a problem?</p>
<p>if they do, it’s for your own good…</p>
<p>I think it’s moot now that you’ve posted it on a public forum.</p>
<p>Your roommate has no legal obligation to tell anyone, but I personally think he has a moral obligation to do so.</p>
<p>People can really push you to get help, but unless your activities are harming others, you can’t really be forced to do anything.</p>
<p>Anyways, go seek help. You really need it.</p>
<p>I don’t believe there is any expectation of privacy among private individuals without some type of contract or established precedent for confidentiality (doctor’s). You can always deny it. If anything, them not saying something if they believe you are in danger could be borderline negligent. Meaning if there is any obligation, it would lean towards them having to say something.</p>
<p>I would agree, read Wasted by Marya Hornbacher, I had to about this time last year for my Psych of Women class, this isn’t something you want to turn into that. If you have a problem then for yourself, your family, your friends, and anyone else who loves you, seek help. I understand more than you may realize, while I don’t have bulimia I have a food aversion to healthy foods and sometimes just random foods where even the thought of consuming it makes me nauseous. My problem isn’t classified as an “eating disorder” however so I need to drop $275 on a professional hypnotherapist to correct the problem at the root of my subconcious. I’m just telling you this so you know I understand.</p>
<p>If they told your RA, that would be really low. They should respect your privacy.</p>
<p>I was bulimic for years, to varying degrees of severity. I’m not going to lecture you on what a terrible thing it is to do to your body (I’m sure you’re familiar with the gory details). I would guess that your roommates COULD tell your RA. I don’t think the RA could make you seek counseling, but s/he could possibly call your parents (or contact student health and have them contact your parents) depending on your school’s rules, as bulimia is counted as being a danger to oneself, on par with self-injury.</p>
<p>Honestly, what I would do is talk to your roommates about it. Just say that you appreciate if they’re concerned and ask if they have any questions, etc. Tell them that if they’re worried about you, they should come to YOU and talk to you about it. Hopefully that will keep them from bringing it outside the room.</p>
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Just FYI, this book is treated like a how-to manual by a lot of the ED community. Pro-ED sites are crawling with “Wasted” quotes. I can see how someone who doesn’t have an ED would read it and think it would help, but it’s actually super-triggering.</p>
<p>Your roommates are not obligated to tell anyone (unless that’s buried somewhere in the license agreement, but that would be really weird)…but if they tell the RA that’s a different story. I’d say 95% of the time if the RA finds out you’re hurting yourself or others, they have to tell their supervisor, who will most likely ask you to at least talk to the counseling center.</p>
<p>It sounds like you already know you have a problem. Whether or not you “feel like” talking about it is not the issue. You need to know what you’re doing to your body…bulimia and other eating disorders can have real and lasting effects.</p>
<p>And to be frank, if it’s making your roommates uncomfortable, they do have a right to tell the RA. They’re paying just as much as you to live in that space, and they have the right to be comfortable there. It might be harsh, but it’s the truth.</p>
<p>They shouldn’t tell anyone, but you should. You can seek help without a commotion, Bulimia is a serious health issue and you deserve enough respect from yourself to do something about it. Itll improve your life in the short and long run.</p>