Q. I think my roommate is bulimic. We haven?t been friends for that long, so I don?t know what I should do. She is a size four, but thinks she?s fat and is obsessed with going to the gym. Then she decides to “splurge,” as she calls it, and buys a ton of junk food and eats it all in one night. Last night we went out to dinner and since she was gone to the bathroom for so long, I went to check on her. She was throwing up and when I asked if she was okay, she got really mad and said she was just sick. If she doesn?t have a problem, then I?ll feel dumb for accusing her of it, but if she does, I feel like I need to help. What would you do?

A. It definitely sounds like something is going on with your roommate and it should be addressed. According to the American Anorexia Bulimia Association Web site, www.aabainc.org, “Bulimia Nervosa is described as a disorder in which frequent episodes of binge eating are almost always followed by purging.”

Some of the warning signs are using the bathroom frequently after meals, preoccupation with body weight, excessive exercising, depression, mood swings and stomach problems such as heartburn, bloating, constipation and indigestion.

Bulimia is a very dangerous illness. According to www.aabainc.com, medical consequences can be “Dehydration, damage to bowels, liver and kidney and electrolyte imbalance, which leads to irregular heartbeat, and in some cases, cardiac arrest.”

There is a five to 20 percent death rate for people with eating disorders, according to The Alma Mater Society of Queen?s University Incorporated at www.ams.queensu.ca.

The most important thing that the Web site states though, is that bulimia is a curable disorder, especially if it is identified early, treated by trained professionals and given support from family and friends.

The American Anorexia Bulimia Association Web site suggests taking the following steps: It is important that you confront her and let her know your concern. Your ultimate goal should be to get her to seek professional help.

Be prepared for all possible reactions because she could become angry or defensive. Make sure to stress that you are bringing this up because you care about her and are concerned with her well-being. If it turns out that you are wrong, she should appreciate your caring. Make sure you have examples of why you are concerned, like the restaurant bathroom incident, so that she cannot brush you off.

Let her know that you want to help her anyway possible. Situations, such as going to the doctor, can be nerve racking, so offer to accompany her.

Realize that she has to make the ultimate decision if she is going to get help. If she chooses not to seek help, continue offering her your support.

Remember that there are no quick fixes for bulimia. If she gets help, she will have her good days and bad days, and the process of recovery will be ongoing. The best thing you can do is to be her friend and offer her the support and encouragement she needs.

Is your roommate driving you crazy, school stressing you out or is your romantic relationship in the slumps? E-mail your questions to [email protected].

Advice from two college students who have been there and done that

Q. I think my roommate is bulimic. We haven?t been friends for that long, so I don?t know what I should do. She is a size four, but thinks she?s fat and is obsessed with going to the gym. Then she decides to “splurge,” as she calls it, and buys a ton of junk food and eats it all in one night. Last night we went out to dinner and since she was gone to the bathroom for so long, I went to check on her. She was throwing up and when I asked if she was okay, she got really mad and said she was just sick. If she doesn?t have a problem, then I?ll feel dumb for accusing her of it, but if she does, I feel like I need to help. What would you do?

A. It definitely sounds like something is going on with your roommate and it should be addressed. According to the American Anorexia Bulimia Association Web site, www.aabainc.org, “Bulimia Nervosa is described as a disorder in which frequent episodes of binge eating are almost always followed by purging.”

Some of the warning signs are using the bathroom frequently after meals, preoccupation with body weight, excessive exercising, depression, mood swings and stomach problems such as heartburn, bloating, constipation and indigestion.

Bulimia is a very dangerous illness. According to www.aabainc.com, medical consequences can be “Dehydration, damage to bowels, liver and kidney and electrolyte imbalance, which leads to irregular heartbeat, and in some cases, cardiac arrest.”

There is a five to 20 percent death rate for people with eating disorders, according to The Alma Mater Society of Queen?s University Incorporated at www.ams.queensu.ca.

The most important thing that the Web site states though, is that bulimia is a curable disorder, especially if it is identified early, treated by trained professionals and given support from family and friends.

The American Anorexia Bulimia Association Web site suggests taking the following steps: It is important that you confront her and let her know your concern. Your ultimate goal should be to get her to seek professional help.

Be prepared for all possible reactions because she could become angry or defensive. Make sure to stress that you are bringing this up because you care about her and are concerned with her well-being. If it turns out that you are wrong, she should appreciate your caring. Make sure you have examples of why you are concerned, like the restaurant bathroom incident, so that she cannot brush you off.

Let her know that you want to help her anyway possible. Situations, such as going to the doctor, can be nerve racking, so offer to accompany her.

Realize that she has to make the ultimate decision if she is going to get help. If she chooses not to seek help, continue offering her your support.

Remember that there are no quick fixes for bulimia. If she gets help, she will have her good days and bad days, and the process of recovery will be ongoing. The best thing you can do is to be her friend and offer her the support and encouragement she needs.

Is your roommate driving you crazy, school stressing you out or is your romantic relationship in the slumps? E-mail your questions to [email protected].