Eating Disorders

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Signs that a Friend May Have an Eating Disorder

  • Dramatic weight loss
  • Complaints of feeling fat, even though not
  • Periods stop
  • Compulsive or excessive excercising
  • Preoccupation with body and weight
  • Seem to not eat or only pick at food
  • Binging on large amounts of food
  • Purging (self-induced vomiting)
  • Periods of fasting or not eating
  • Use of diet pills, laxatives or diuretics
  • Development of abnormal eating habits such as:
    • severe dieting or the preference of strange food
    • withdrawn or ritualized behavior at mealtime, secretive binging
    • eating tiny portions or not eating in front of others (always having an excuse not to eat such as "just ate with a friend" or "feels ill"
    • becomes disgusted with former favorite foods
    • will only eat a few "safe" foods such as fruits and vegetables
  • Certain behaviors around food:
    • excusing themselves from the table in order to vomit to get rid of the calories or may gore in secret
    • buying special binge food

Some other clues that a person may be bingeing or purging:

  • Empty food boxes
  • Running the water to cover sound of vomiting
  • Excessive use of breathmints and mouthwash
  • Baggy clothes to hide "fat" or to hide Emaciation

If you or a friend are experiencing signs of an eating disorder, please talk with a mental health professional.

For Friends of Eating Disorder Sufferers

The question gets asked: "How can we, as concerned parents, family and friends, help the eating disorder sufferer?"

First, realize that you can’t cure it or control your friend’s problem. However, you can play an important part in contributing to the sufferer’s recovery.

Here's how:

  • Be aware of your own attitude towards food and the amount of focus on your own weight and dieting practices. Remember that the purpose of food is to provide energy for your body.
  • Allow your friend to be in charge of her own eating. Avoid being the “food cop” –monitoring the food that the person eats.
  • Don’t associate “weight” with the person’s looks or body image. For instance, don’t say, “Now that you’ve put on some weight, you look better.” Most people dealing with an eating disorder have very low self-esteem and poor body image.
  • Do not treat the person with an eating disorder like a child.
  • When discussing the eating disorder, speak with compassion and concern. Be as descriptive as possible. Explain what you see by describing the person’s problematic behaviors. State your observations in the “I” mode; for instance: “I noticed that you are skipping meals.” Do NOT use the “YOU” mode: “You are skipping meals.” Listen in a non-judgmental way.
  • Recognize that the person may deny your observations and may be upset or frightened when confronted. Do not be discouraged. Remain calm and supportive.
  • Be patient. When receiving treatment, your friend may experience relapses, and difficult days. There’s no such thing as an immediate recovery, even if the patient is hospitalized or taking medication. There is NO magic pill that can cure an Eating Disorder, but treatment can contribute to helping the patient overcome the problem.
  • Learn about eating disorders. By understanding the illness and caring for yourself, you can contribute to assisting your friend to recover.
  • Remember that there’s more to your friendship than the eating disorder. Know your limits, and seek help from a professional.