a few questions

i throw up a lot. generally, it makes me feel better. i dont have a poor self image, i dont think... im a comfortable 5'8", ~150 lbs. curvy, but certianly not overweight.

my question is, should i worry about this being bullemic? ive tried to talk to my mom about it, and she'll say something like,"that's just the way your body deals with things," but i've had weeks where every day when i walk home from work, i'll vomit on the side of the road 3-4 times, even if i havent had much to eat during the day. i love food and eat quite a bit in one sitting, often until there isnt any food left, or i feel i cant fit anything else in. (ex. this past week i ate a large pepperoni pizza by myself)

up until recently, i didnt keep a bathroom scale, but i got one from my parents a couple of months ago, and noticed that my weight will fluctuate ~5-10 pounds in a week.

i also like to burn myself (heating up a fork on a space heater and pressing it into my arm, etc.) , ive had a history of pulling out my hair, and now have an obsession with cutting it,... i often cant stop myself until ive covered my entire bathroom with pieces of hair.

im just wondering if these things are linked, or if my moms right and this is just a normal funtion of my body, or if i'm self conciously trying to hurt myself.

i have never sought professional help, but my sister has been treated for depression and has gone to a therapist.


some feedback would be appreciated. i'm not really sure what to think, or if i should be concerned at all.

Do you throw up after eating, randomly, at specific times, times of emotional distress....?

You should definately get a professional opinion about it, talk to a therapist. If you can get the same therapist that your sister went to, even better.

The burning and hair are definately linked, theyre both attacks on your physical beauty. Theyre a way of bringing some kind of struggle inside you out, a way for your mind to go "See!? See!? Im UGLY!"

If I had to guess, its your mind taking what other people say, or what your mind believes other people say, to heart. Your mind says "Well, everyboddy says it, it MUST be true." But your rational side knows it isnt true. Your unconsious mind MAKES it true by giving you the desire to hurt yourself and cut your hair.

DEFINATELY seek some help for this, fighting this on your own is extremely difficult. Not that you cant do it, but its important that you try to get help as soon as you can.

Anang, Antoninus is right, you should definitely be concerned, no matter how trivial you may think it is. Bulimia is still serious, even if you don't become underweight or overweight it can still be damaging inside. I had to stop once because the stomach acid was burning my throat so much and I never even realised it was that bad because there was never much fluctuation in weight - everything seemed normal on the outside....
If you asked her, I really hope your mum would not say it's just your body's natural way of dealing with things. It seems to me like this is a cry for help, maybe even a subconscious one, and I don't think any cry for help should go unnoticed.
Do see if you can get someone to talk to, because it sounds like there could be some repressed emotions you've been keeping down, which is causing the burning, bulimia and hair cutting. Maybe if you've never talked to anyone about your feelings before then you might benefit from seeing someone ^-^
If you're still uncertain (god knows I was at first) remember most people on this site are happy to give you mroe advice and consolation.
Regards, xx