# Hiding Bulimia **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 17, 2006, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488 "2006-12-17T08:19:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2006, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/1 "2006-12-17T08:19:22Z")
Maybe TMI, but last night I was sick with stomach flu and ended up bowing to the porcelain god. I started thinking, how on earth do bulimics hide their condition? I ended up with vomit on my face, hair and clothes and had to take a shower. How do people (Princess Di, Paula Abdul, et al) hide this? How do they “fix themselve up” after committing the act? I don’t get it. Does anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2006, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/2 "2006-12-17T08:58:39Z")
Surely practice makes perfect. I’m not nor have I ever been a bulimic, but I’ve certainly vomited a few times in my day, and I’ve never “ended up with vomit on my face, hair, and clothes”. I just brush my teeth afterwards and wash my hands, maybe face if necessary. Doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2006, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/3 "2006-12-17T10:48:05Z")
IME they don’t hide it very well. Come home from dinner date, turn on stereo loudly, disappear into bathroom. Return from bathroom, search kitchen for breath mints. I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t work it out on the first date. I’d heard of the condition, but it was my first encounter with it…and I was preoccupied wondering if I was going to get some. She never would admit it until after we broke up. (we stayed friends and kept in touch for a few years) I guess she hid it just well enough that I was almost but not quite certain what was going on. Perhaps this was her way of asking for help? ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/4 "2006-12-17T16:15:17Z")
I was not bulimic but a drunk, who would often puke so that I could drink more (I know, it was so gross). I could walk in to the bathroom, quietly vomit, rinse my mouth out and go back to the party. No one was the wiser. Not everyone bellows like a dino caught in a tar pit when they puke (like my husband does). ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/5 "2006-12-18T04:02:54Z")
Don’t underestimate others’ ability to look the other way, even when there are obvious signs. It isn’t a pleasant illness, and it’s something that happens to Other People. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/6 "2006-12-18T06:16:16Z")
[QUOTE=Dignan] Don’t underestimate others’ ability to look the other way, even when there are obvious signs. It isn’t a pleasant illness, and it’s something that happens to Other People. [/QUOTE] [No it’s not](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=397175&highlight=anorexia), my wife had bulimia, and I never once ‘caught’ her throwing up. Apperently it’s not that difficult to hide. Well, the effects of it can’t be hidden, but the throwing up can. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/7 "2006-12-18T06:44:00Z")
I watched an episode of MTV True Life once that featured a Bulimic girl that hid her puke in tupperware type containers in her closet. It was pretty disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/8 "2006-12-18T06:50:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by **Joey P** > No it’s not, my wife had **bulimia** , and I never once ‘caught’ her throwing up. Apperently it’s not that difficult to hide. Well, the effects of it can’t be hidden, but the throwing up can. From that thread you linked to: > [@](#): > > My wife was **anorexic** , so I feel rather qualified to answer this. YES, she did think the scale was lying. In fact, one day she had an appointment with her gyn and her psych. Not trying to be a dick but did she have both or share traits from each? ---
**Author:** ![lolatoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@lolatoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolatoo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/9 "2006-12-18T08:03:54Z")
[QUOTE=pool] From that thread you linked to: Not trying to be a dick but did she have both or share traits from each? [/QUOTE] I read both: > [@](#): > > _Oh, and FTR she had Anorexia and Excercise Bulimea (along with the normal bulimea)._ [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7987646&postcount=13](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7987646&postcount=13) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/10 "2006-12-18T10:41:44Z")
For most of the last 10 years I’ve lived on my own. So all I’d have to do to hide bulimia is barf while at home (no I don’t have bulimia). You do it at work when there is nobody else in the bathroom… nobody the wiser. You’re used to doing this and someone comes in and catches you? You claim something you ate didn’t agree with you. After all, they heard the noises, but didn’t see you sticking your finger down your throat. And of course, you “eat like it’s going out of fashion but have one of those fast metabolisms and never gain an ounce”… (which is actually true for some people, eh!) ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/11 "2006-12-18T14:03:25Z")
I don’t know how they do it. I certainly could not hide my morning sickness, and get accused of bulimia due to that. Those people must think I am the worlds least successful bulimic. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecae2f/32.png) [@The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blue-Sighted_Shadow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/12 "2006-12-18T18:11:19Z")
After a while, the vomiting becomes more “controlled,” if you will. Vomiting voluntarily is nothing like having a stomach flu. Run lots of water, flush the toilet a couple of times during, there are lots of ways to disguise the sounds. Afterwards, carefully wash your hands and wipe your face, brush your teeth (this worsens the effect the stomach acid has on your teeth), use mouthwash or breath mints. My mother would also scrub the toilet afterwards. Only eat in places with single occupancy bathrooms or only eat near/at home. IMO, it’s kind of the same as a smoker “hiding” the smoke. Some people are very good at it, others less so. Jahdra, daughter of a bulimic ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/13 "2006-12-18T18:30:06Z")
Some people don’t bother to hide it, at least some of the time. I vividly remember sharing a restaurant bathroom with a group of women who finished their lunch, came in and gaily vomited, chatting casually the whole time. (Well, not the _whole_ time, but you get the idea.) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/14 "2006-12-18T18:31:58Z")
[QUOTE=pool] From that thread you linked to: Not trying to be a dick but did she have both or share traits from each? [/QUOTE] Yes, she was quite sick for a while. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2006, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/15 "2006-12-18T20:46:39Z")
[TMI] I’m a guy who can upchuck on cue, with absolutely minimal effort. It’s an interesting skill that I discovered at about 5. Kind of cool if you want to be extra convincing to that bitchy teacher that you really are sick. I don’t know how many other folks can do this, but it’s very controlled and totally silent, akin to simply running the swallowing muscles in reverse. Since it is so controlled, very little of the puke-smelling stuff comes up (e.g. bile). What comes up is chewed food. It does come in handy when I eat something that my stomach clearly disagrees with – I can perform the inevitable in a very calm relatively peaceful fashion rather than yakking in nature’s intended manner once my stomach finally decides to rid itself of the unpleasant matter. Sadly, when I get a horrible nauseating migraine, it doesn’t matter if I offload my contents voluntarily, I will still end up in painful dry heaves in minutes. [/TMI] ---
**Author:** ![CatfishFillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/73ab20/32.png) [@CatfishFillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatfishFillet)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2006, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/16 "2006-12-19T00:25:59Z")
I’ve been hiding bulimia for years. Once you’ve been throwing up for a while, it’s easy to induce (almost no sound) and I can usually void an acceptable percentage of my stomach in 10 heaves or less, which is pretty quick. You drink a big glass of water ahead of time and this makes it quicker. The best time is right before a shower, where you can start the shower going, vomit with the water hiding the sounds, and ensure privacy. Restaurants are also easy, just click the automatic hand-dryer before you go into the stall. Work is harder, but if you time it correctly, you can flush and then vomit while the tank empties and refills itself. Obviously you always take the single-occupancy/handicapped bathroom or pick a time of day when the normal bathroom isn’t crowded (i.e. NOT right after lunch). I eat a late lunch. You always make sure you have enough toilet paper. Wipe down your hands, face, blot your eyes, wipe up the rim of the toilet afterwards. Blow your nose. Rinse your mouth with water. Always keep TUMS around and swish one through your mouth. Give yourself to the count of 60 to lose that teary-eyed, red-faced “look”. Reapply makeup/clean up mascara. Be back at your desk in 10 minutes flat. At my boyfriend’s, I always purge after he falls asleep. Then I crawl into bed and he snuggles up to me and never even notices I was gone 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![myskepticsight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@myskepticsight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myskepticsight)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/17 "2006-12-19T01:00:53Z")
**CatfishFillet** - have you tried treatment? Bulimia can be extremely dangerous - vomiting regularly upsets a lot of body systems. It’s very serious and I recommend getting help. ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/18 "2006-12-19T01:01:23Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] [No it’s not](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=397175&highlight=anorexia), my wife had bulimia, and I never once ‘caught’ her throwing up. Apperently it’s not that difficult to hide. Well, the effects of it can’t be hidden, but the throwing up can. [/QUOTE] Someone I know had it, and there was some speculation, and the person was confronted a few times, and would deny it. There was what would seem like obvious evidence (the toilet not flushing everything, weight loss), but those involved were very hesitant to believe it was happening. They wanted to believe that the person wasn’t sick, and believe the person when the person said they weren’t sick. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2006, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/19 "2006-12-19T01:28:38Z")
[QUOTE=Hazle Weatherfield] I ended up with vomit on my face, hair and clothes and had to take a shower. [/QUOTE] Well, I’ve never been bulimic, so I’m not a pro at these things, and I still - when I’ve had food poisoning or something, managed to puke without getting it all over myself. Perhaps you’re just very enthusiastic. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2006, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488/20 "2006-12-20T00:57:10Z")
[QUOTE=EJsGirl] I was not bulimic but a drunk, who would often puke so that I could drink more (I know, it was so gross). I could walk in to the bathroom, quietly vomit, rinse my mouth out and go back to the party. No one was the wiser. Not everyone bellows like a dino caught in a tar pit when they puke (like my husband does). [/QUOTE] EjsGirl, have you told your husband that’s what he sounds like? If so, how did he react? 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiding-bulimia/384488.md?page=2)