I can’t intervene…
I’m 99% sure I have a co-worker who is bulimic.
My cubicle is close enough to the bathroom that I can hear her forcibly hacking around the same time almost every day… breakfast and lunch. It doesn’t help the walls are super thin, so the acoustics from the restroom are even worse. I’ve suspected it for a while now, but feel my suspicion is confirmed after seeing her exit the restroom after each of these incidents. I know she knows our walls are thin, so I’m not sure if she realizes people can hear her, or if she even cares.
I like this co-worker a lot and we’ve chatted a bit about her weight gain over the past couple years. While I didn’t know her then, seeing her over the nine months I’ve been employed - I think she’s gorgeous.
But, I can’t intervene. I know many women in this country are anorexic, bulimic, or even both. My ex-girlfriend was both. I learned that no matter how upset it made me to hear her or see her run to the bathroom after a meal (even when we were at a restaurant), nothing I said was helpful. In fact, everything I said just stressed her out even more.
This breaks my heart.
Current Mood:
Sad
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By Erica, August 9, 2008 @ 8:24 am
It’s a nasty position to be in when someone you know has a problem and you’re not in the place to intervene in any way. I’m not sure what I would do in this situation, other than feel bad for her. Putting your prayers and well-wishers into the universe like this though, it may bring something good in her direction.
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By Christina, August 9, 2008 @ 9:37 pm
I’m very sorry to hear about your co-worker. I’m not sure what I would or could do in that situation. I know you said you have already tried talking to her and that didn’t work. My advice would be just to continue to be someone she can talk to. In time, when she is ready, she may want to talk to you about her problem or ask for your help. :smile:
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By Stefanie, August 11, 2008 @ 12:15 am
I agree with Christina about being someone that she can talk to. Maybe you could ask her if she wants to hang out with you outside of work? She might be looking for someone that she can confide in, and if she were to confide in you, then you would be in a place to offer her advice or just a caring ear.
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By Morgan, August 12, 2008 @ 2:08 am
I’m not sure what I’d do in a situation like that. There’s a girl in my class who I think is anorexic, but I’m not sure it’s my place to intervene.
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By Ashlie, August 17, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
Thanks for the blog comment. I can’t believe I skipped over this post. OMG how can people not eat lol. I am such a fat ass. But its so sad. I hate knowing when someone is going through something and I can’t do anything to help. How horrible.
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