What Do You Do?

[Guest Drew]

well, basically the title. i feel odd posting this, but i'm just looking for advice. a friend of mine has some kind of eating disorder...it fits the criteria for anorexia, so that's what i'll call it. she insists that she just doesn't like to eat and isn't hungry. she never eats...well, i suppose she does...but i don't know if a few gold fish crackers, a rice cake, some cheese and a few blueberries over a week really count. she's passed out several times now...according to her, just randomly, no big deal....and she just casually mentioned this in conversation quite a while after the fact. i don't know if i'm reading too much into this or if this really is a problem but i figured that since there are now physical symptoms i should at least make an effort to ask her about it. i've kind of speculated about it before but she'll always deflect back to my issues or change the subject...or just insist that it's completely normal. i'm not the smartest guy, but even i know that something is wrong.

how do i help?....or, can i help?

thanks

Drew

[Guest April63]

Take her to the doctor. At least call for some help. Anorexia just gets worse over time, and is a serious problem. It can quickly become very dangerous. The best thing you can do for her is to provide her with help.

April

[Sally]

If she is already passing out don't wait, get her to a doctor as soon as you can - if you're sure that she doesn't want to go ask her to take you to the doctor and once inside have her come back with you, then talk to the doctor - she is in serious trouble!

Good luck,

Sally

[Guest rosey]

its really hard to get people over this i counsled misspelling lol some one but it was diffcult and she kinda stopped and eventually she got help now is fine but we r no longer friends

if her parents start notcing that might help then maybe doctor

rosey

[Guest CharliTo]

It's kind of in the same boat if you see your friend do some kind of serious drug. If you look at it that way, you wouldn't want to leave them hanging when you see that there is a problem. Tell them to get help. If they insist not to...then you might wanna follow them to the doctors...or in this case a specialist. (a specialized therapist for people with eating disorders)

It's delicate, but I'd think if this friend is that close to you...then it's necessary to do.

G'luck Drew... I had to do something similar before, so hope it goes well.

[Guest Tiger]

Take her to the doctor. At least call for some help. Anorexia just gets worse over time, and is a serious problem. It can quickly become very dangerous. The best thing you can do for her is to provide her with help.

April

I agree, this is no game and I had a friend go through this whole ordeal, take her to the doctor ASAP and get her help, believe me it does not go away on its own

[Guest DeniseNM]

Drew I want to applaude you for your concern for your friend and there has been alot of good advice so far. I can't say for certain that she does have anorexia but it certainly does sound like she may. I can give you some advice as someone who has dealt with addiction, including compulsive eating and bulimea (sp?), since I was 6 years old. Let her know flat out that you are concerned and if you are in contact with her family talk to them about it. If you know who her doctor is let the doctor know what is going on with her. The thing you do need to realize though is that until she is ready for help and ready to face the issues behind all of this there isn't really anything you can do other than be there for her and let her know you care and are concerned. You can't make her get help. I know that sounds harsh but it is the truth (I know because my family tried for years to make me face my problems but until I was ready it didn't matter). I do hope and pray that she hits her bottom and is ready to get help before it is to late though. You are a true friend to be concerned for her and asking what you can do to try and help her.

Denise