Many of you may be looking over this site with questions about whether or not your loved one has an Eating Disorder. Please look over the following information from TeensHealth for some guidance:
Signs of Eating Disorders:
In our image-obsessed culture, it can be easy for teens (and adults, for that matter) to be critical of their bodies. Normal concerns about body image can cross the line and become eating disorders when a person starts to do things that are physically and emotionally dangerous — things that could have long-term health consequences.
Some people go on starvation diets and can become anorexic. Others go on eating binges and then purge their bodies of the food they've just eaten through forced vomiting, compulsive exercise, taking laxatives, or a combination of these (known as bulimia).
Although eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are far more common in girls, guys can get them, too. So how do you know if a friend has an eating disorder? It can be hard to tell — after all, someone who's lost a lot of weight or feels constantly tired may have another type of health condition. But some of the signs that a friend may have an eating disorder include:
What to Do
If a friend has these symptoms and you're concerned, the first thing to do might be to talk to your friend, privately, about what you've noticed. Tell your friend that you're worried. Be as gentle as possible, and try to really listen to and be supportive of your friend and what he or she is going through.
It's normal for people with eating disorder to feel guarded and private about their eating problems. Try not to get angry or frustrated. Remind your friend that you care.
People with eating disorders often have trouble admitting — even to themselves — that they have a problem. Trying to help someone who doesn't think he or she needs help can be hard. Many people feel successful and in control when they become thin, but those with eating disorders can become seriously ill and even die. If your friend is willing to seek help, offer to go with him or her to see a counselor or a medical expert.
If your concerns increase and your friend still seems to be in denial, talk to your parents, the school guidance counselor or nurse, or even your friend's parents. This isn't easy to do because it can feel like betraying a friend. But it's often necessary to get a friend the help he or she needs.
Eating disorders can be caused by — and lead to — complicated physical and psychological illnesses. You can support your friend by learning as much as you can about eating disorders. Your friend's body image and behavior may be a symptom of something else that's going on. Many organizations, books, websites, hotlines, or other resources are devoted to helping people who are battling eating disorders.
Being a supportive friend also means learning how to behave around someone with an eating disorder. Here are some ways to support a friend who is battling an eating problem:
Most important, remind your friend that you're there no matter what. You want to help him or her get healthy again. Sometimes you'd be surprised how asking simple questions such as "what can I do to help?" or "what would make you feel better?" can lead to a great conversation about how you can help your friend heal.
TeensHealth®