TroubledTeen, maybe this can help answer some:
Those with eating disorder may take one laxative, two or even the entire box for one dosage. The effects can be painful and even lead to death. Those who take laxatives are only encouraging their body to lose water and nothing else. Weight loss may be noticed but this is temporary as the weight will return as the body rehydrates itself of water loss. The small intestine where food is digested and where nutrients and calories are absorbed cannot be stimulated by laxatives or even enemas. Once the water loss has taken place, it can lead the body to retain water leaving the person feeling even more bloating. In some cases, individuals take even more laxatives as a way to relieve the water retention and bloating they feel. All laxatives do is reduce fluid levels within the body by inducing severe diarrhea. The misuse of laxatives and enemas can cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage.
There is a lot of good information here that describes everything in detail.
http://www.geocities.com/gina_rlp/lax.html
Hope this was good enough to answer your questions
