Are these symptoms of Anorexia, Bulimia, or both??

I think my cousin may have an eating disorder. She is such a pretty girl. She is 5'5" tall and weighs 110 lbs (her goal is to be 90 lbs by July). She recently became vegetarian, not that it's a bad thing, but her reason for it is odd, so that she can consume fewer calories to maintain a 'healthier' lifestyle. She orders itty-bitty portions & only eats a fraction of what is on her plate. She puts her fork down between tiny bites and waits a full 30 seconds before eating the next bite. She gets up two times DURING the meal to go use the bathroom. She also told me is hates the fact that she has 'wider' hips now that she is getting older (she is 19). I told her that having hips is what makes you look like a woman...I mean, do women really want to look like 12-year old boys? She said she thinks the bony look is cute and she wants to get to the point where is clavical and pelvic bones protrude. Are these symptoms of an eating disorder, or is she just trying to be "healthy"?

She doesn't display some typical behavoir of some anorexics and bulemics (such as avoiding going out to eat or counting calories (unless it's in her head)). I just don't want this to be the begining of something that can manifest INTO a bigger problem

It sure sounds like she is both bulimic and anorexic. Does she diplay these habits when eating with her parents and friends? Please voice your concerns to her mother or father and even to your mother. She is headed down a dangerous path.

She is anorexic if she order tiny portions and only eats a fraction of it plus the 30 seconds between small bites. Also the fact that she uses the restroom often could be bullemia but unless you see or smell the vomit that is hard to say. Since she is anorexic already she has a problem and needs help. If you can talk to her parents about it do so as she needs help and without it could get very sick or even die from anorexia. If you go to the same school talk to a school counselor too.

It does sound like it. If she's getting up to use the bathroom during the meal twice, that's kind of a big sign. My best friend had the same problem, you just have to give her as much support as possible to stay healthy and eat enough calories. Becoming a vegetarian isn't bad, I'm one =], as long as you still eat good and get enough protein in other things you're eating. Try and get her to talk to someone about it and have her realize what she's doing to her body and how bad she will be hurting herself. Good luck and I'm sure she will realize that looking like a "12 year old boy" isn't attractive.

She is full of it when she says she's trying to be "healthier". She may feel that being thin is her image and as she is getting older she is avoiding change without knowingly having and eating disorder.

She may show early signs of a developing eating disorder. She sounds like she is anorexic. You will need a doctor to say for sure what she is suffering from.

Bulimia is episodic binge eating followed by self induced vomitting. As she does not sound like she is stuffing herself, since she orders so little each time, it does not point to signs of bulimia.

You would need to do more research or go bring her see a doctor. Early detection is vital to getting appropriate treatment and care. In severe cases, eating disorders can lead to death.

yes...she definetly has an eating disorder all of the classic symptoms are being displayed

anytime a person is obsessed with constantly lowering the total bodyweight when they are obviously not overweight they are in big trouble. and the getting up during meals, she is definetly purging.

she's going to ruin her body and possibly her life if she keeps up this behavior