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Helping a Semi-anorexic friend?

CangoFettCangoFett Registered User regular
edited July 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
So, I got a friend, who doesnt live nearby at the time, but she's like, borderline anorexic. She used to be really bad about it, going days at a time eating nothing but ice cubes and water. Shes beyond that now, but will still often a small meal a day. Things like parts of a small salad, or a couple breadsticks.

Aparrently I'm like the only person shes admitted she has a problem to. She realizes she needs to do better, and shes starting to try.


I guess Im just looking for any articles or references on definite Do's and Dont's for when this sort of stuff comes up in conversation. Things to say/not say that would make things better/worse.

CangoFett on

Posts

  • The CatThe Cat Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited July 2007
    Borderline? That's full-blown. She needs professional help, I'd say, although its a very positive step that she's even willing to acknowledge a problem. Just don't ever make any comment about her appearance unless its along the lines of 'you're too thin and its unhealthy'. And treat her like a normal person, she's confided in you because she trusts you. Flipping around to acting weird over this will only harm things. Act normal!

    The Cat on
    tmsig.jpg
  • WerrickWerrick Registered User regular
    edited July 2007
    CangoFett wrote: »

    Aparrently I'm like the only person shes admitted she has a problem to. She realizes she needs to do better, and shes starting to try.

    That's the most important part, really. The hard part will be convincing her that she can't do it alone and that you aren't equipped to help her properly (unless you're a mental health professional of some kind). If she can realize she has a problem then the only thing left to do is get over the shame of it and admit it loudly enough to get help.

    The irony is that everyone around probably already knows... but how do you talk to someone about that kind of thing? It's not the kind of thing you can just bring up at the supper table.

    ...

    You know what I mean.

    Werrick on
    "Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be rude without having their skulls split, as a general thing."

    -Robert E. Howard
    Tower of the Elephant
  • NimaNima Registered User regular
    edited July 2007
    Theres nothing borderline about her case.

    If she admits she has a problem, I think you should advise her to go and see her doctor, because I know this isn't the kind of thing an untrained person can help with. I suppose if you were feeling really supportive, you could maybe go with her for her first appointment, and just sort of be there if she wants to talk/ vent.

    Nima on
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