When?

[lost_chil]

I am just woundering when is to late... I want to know when someone needs to be hospitalized ASAP due to Anorexia/Bulimia, whatever. I just want to know when there life is in danger and when it is important they get hospitalized.

[glittermist]

I'm pretty sure it's when their body weight drops to such an extreme, you are at risk of organ failure due to the body eating it's own tissues etc just to survive. It's a specific percentage below what is normal for your height and frame, and you will have to ask a medical professional for the actual figures. You could try google however information is often a little misleading/incorrect and so it would be best to ask a medical professional. Of course if one is displaying extremely irrational behaviour and they are at a high risk to themselves/others, then they will be sectioned and hospitalised under a certain mental health act. I'm not 100% correct with this information though.

[Em...]

What Lisa said is very much true. Usually when there is a huge drop in weight in a certain time, the individual's BMI (body mass index) indicates that the individual is underweight [due to an eating disorder].
Also when the individual is displaying certain behaviours involved with eating disorders that put themselves at risk then they would be hospitalised under a Baker Act, if you're in the US, I'm not sure about other countries though.
As Lisa also stated, if you're concerned it's probably best to talk to a doctor about this, or a professional who may be able to provide you with some more accurate information.
I found this online that may be helpful for you:
Complications and Medical Reasons for Hospitalization
Complications and medical criteria for hospitalization for anorexia are intertwined.

The key medical indicators are basic starvation signs that include:

Brittle hair and nails
Poor skin turgor
An intolerance to cold
Sore joints
Lack of menstrual cycle
Constipation
Loss of muscle mass
While signs of starvation alone may not land an individual in the hospital, it's an indication that hospitalization may soon be necessary. Other reasons for hospitalization can include:

Testing and diagnosis are necessary
Weight loss exceeds 25 percent of total body weight over three months
Infection of any kind (anorexia can complicate infection)
Heart rate falls below 40 beats per minute or above 110 beats per minute
Vomiting of blood
Severe dehydration
Anemia
Abnormally low temperature
Abnormally low serum potassium levels even after potassium replacements are tried – Potassium levels are extremely important to human functions like nerve and muscle activity, and a correct level insures that the heart can function as well.
This is the tip of the iceberg. Anorexia can cause deterioration of most of an individual's body functions and result in death. This is why proper and timely anorexia treatment is so important. To see all the different ways in which anorexia can wreak havoc on a body visit WomensHealth.gov; this site includes a handy diagram.
Then there are also Psychiatric criteria which would lead to hospitalisation.

I hoped this helped. Please take care of yourself.

[Jen]

To add to what everyone said, it doesn't have to be a significant weight loss. Many people are under the impression that in order to be taken "seriously" and hospitalized, one must lose a lot of weight. This is not necessarily the case. You can be medically unstable in any different number of ways--with your heart, your stomach, any other organs or vital signs.

It is REALLY important to talk to someone, because what you don't want is to be hospitalized for an emergency health issue because your life is danger, you know? It's better to get the help you need before it gets to that dangerous point.

Take care.
<3

[lost_chil]

EmiLeigh... could you send me the link to the critiria for hospitalization?

And what if ones starts using laxatives and still purges after eating anything more then a slice of bread? Say you don't get the slice of bread up completly, so they use laxatives after...

[floatingangel]

hey hun, i suggest that you see a counsellor. he/she would be able to help suggest wat should be the next step you should take...
before it gets to the stage where you obviously require hospitalization, try counselling.. hospital is a really expensive option.
yup that's just my additional take on that. (:

[emma01]

Hey!
I am on the verge of being hospitalized, the fact that im trying so hard to recover is keeping me out, but what EmiLeigh said is correct. If my potassium levels drop, or if my heart rate changes or if I lose any more weight I have to go in. Hospitalization is serious and very scary, so you want to try so hard to not have to go in!