my friend has an eating disorder?
959449
it is so sad how someone can just lose themselves! she needs help and she also needs food, when your 5 ft 4 you should NOT be aiming for 95lbs, waaaaaayyyyy too light! there is NOTHING to be proud of about being under weight, too many people have lost their life's that way! poor thing, she really NEEDS to go to therapy or something, i am glad that her mother is concerned about her and she is doing the right thing, it is not your fault if she refuses to eat, she needs support and help to realize what is going on. \n\ngood luck and god bless!♥
374385
Bring it up in conversation. Let her know you are concerned about her without accusing her of anything. Tell her how much you love her and how you don't want her to see her hurt herself. If she does have an eating problem (which she may not), she probably has low self-confidence and it will help her to know that someone cares about her no matter what happens. Eating disorders are serious, so keep an eye on her. If you get concerned, don't hesitate to tell a teacher or one of your or her parents. She may be mad, but she will come to see that you were just trying to help her, and by telling someone she will be able to get the help she needs. Just please be sure she does have a problem before you do tell someone. Maybe something else is going on besides an eating disorder. Just talk to her. Good luck. Let me know if you need anything.
322927
I suppose that your friend is seeing a psychiatrist.\n\nIf you really care about that friend, ask his doctor in what way youcould be helpful !! Who else can tell you better what to do.
715825
First and foremost realize that she doesn't have an eating disorder if what your saying is true. What she has is self esteem issues because she is a little bit overweight. Eating salt will only dehydrate you and only SOMETIMES limiting your caloric intake will actually make you gain weight because your body will go into "starvation mode" and store all food that you take in as fat. Your friend however seems to have the mind set-up of someone that could really develop an eating disorder. Tell her she's pretty and that if she really wants to lose weight plan it as a long term goal for HERSELF not so she can be popular, have a boyfriend etc. and most importantly tell her to talk to her parents or a school nurse or doctor to help her plan her diet and exercise regimen.
376783
What is anorexia? \n\nAnorexia nervosa is one type of eating disorder. More importantly, it is also a psychological disorder. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. A person with anorexia initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. The drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. The individual continues the endless cycle of restrictive eating often to a point close to starvation in order to feel a sense of control over the body. This cycle becomes an obsession, and is similar to any type of drug or substance addiction. \n\nWho is at risk for anorexia?\n\nApproximately 95% of those affected by anorexia are female, but males can develop the disorder as well. While anorexia typically begins to manifest itself during early adolescence, it is also seen in young children and adults. In the U.S. and other countries with high economic status, it is estimated that about one out of every hundred adolescent girls has the disorder. Caucasians are more often affected than people of other racial backgrounds, and anorexia is more common in middle and upper socioeconomic groups. According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 0.5 to 3.7% of women will suffer from this disorder at some point in their lives. \n\nMany experts consider people for whom thinness is especially desirable, or a professional requirement (such as athletes, models, dancers, and actors) to be at risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. \n\nWhat causes anorexia? \n\nAt this time, no definite cause of anorexia nervosa has been determined. However, research within the medical and psychological fields continues to explore possible causes. \n\nSome experts feel that demands from society and families could possibly be underlying causes for anorexia. For many individuals with anorexia, the destructive cycle begins with the pressure to be thin and attractive. A poor self-image compounds the problem. \n\nOther researchers feel that this disorder can stem from a particular dysfunction often seen in families of anorexia patients. In this particular type of dysfunction, family members become so interdependent that each cannot achieve their identity as an individual. Thus, family members are unable to function as healthy individuals and are dependent on other family members for their identity. In children, part of this dysfunction includes a fear of growing up (especially girls). Restrictive dieting may prevent their bodies from developing in a normal manner, and, in their thinking, restricts the maturational process and maintains the parent-child relationship that the family has come to rely on. \n\nSome studies also suggest that a genetic (inherited) component may play a role in determining a person’s susceptibility to anorexia. Researchers are currently attempting to identify the particular gene or genes that might affect a person’s tendency to develop this disorder. \n\nAlthough no organic cause for anorexia has been identified, some evidence points to a dysfunction in the part of the brain (hypothalamus) which regulates certain metabolic processes. Other studies have suggested that imbalances in neurotransmitter levels in the brain may occur in people suffering from anorexia. \n\n------\nDefinition of Anorexia\n\nAnorexia: An eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder. It is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. The person with anorexia, most often a girl or young woman, initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. The drive to become thinner is thought to be secondary to concerns about control and fears relating to one's body. The individual continues the endless cycle of restrictive eating, often to a point
602518
Becoming obsessed with everything that goes into her mouth. Knowing every calorie in every food known to man. \nAvoiding any social situation that involves eating.\nPushing food around on her plate pretending she's eating.\nSaying she already ate or she'll eat later.\nTelling everyone she' fine and feels great.\nHair falling out.\nShe doesn't get her period every month or at all anymore.\nHer skin starts to look different, not as healthy.\nShe bruises easily.\nNot sleeping well.\nShe's always cold.\nSometimes anorexics may grow light hair on their face because their body is trying to keep itself warm.
972251
Yes, do you see any signs of anorexia? I have a friend that is very skinny but she has a VERY HIGH metabolism. Do you notice any loss in appiette? How about hair loss? Does she ever talk about how"fat" she looks? If so I would talk to her mom or convince her to see a doctor!
165415
All you relle can do is be there for them, help them throught what is hopefully a stage of life. And remember that this can kill them just like drugs,alchohal or bulimia. You may also wanna talk to this person about what they are doing to themselves. Here is a good book for them and you to read. Why are they starving themselves,understanding anorexia nervosa and bulimia. it's by elaine landau
979926
you are right to intervene and worry. im 5'2 and when i was 18 i weighed 88 lbs and still thought i was fat. i hardly ate and whatever i did eat i threw up. my friends went to the school guidance counselor and told her...i was furious! but you have to do the same thing. shes so young and her body is still growing. she is missing needed nutrients and it could get so bad she could stop getting her period, start losing her hair, faint or even die. i didnt gain the weight back until i went to college and gained the freshman 15 putting me at a normal weight. its a psychological thing too. maybe talk to her first....find out why shes not eating. it could be the media always emphasizing skinny is better or it could be problems at home or with a boy and she is seeking attention in a very detrimental way. but as soon as possible tell someone close to you or her. you need to get her help quickly before something serious happens. you will be doing the right thing.
996699
Just boost up her confidence.. Tell her she is beautiful and that she doesn't need to do what she does.. Also explain to her that you are worried about her health.. Doing things like that can make you really sick.. I know a girl that's bulimic, she's been for 2 years and now  her hair is falling out.. Explain to her she will look worse in the long run by doing whats she's doing.. Maybe mention to her that she should seek counseling.. Or tell her parents, that's what I had to do...
1055697
Unfortunately I have had many friends with eating disorders, some much more serious than others. Some will listen to advice and some only listen to the voices in their heads telling them that they are fat.\n\nIf you think that your friend is still at a point where you can talk some sense into her tell her something along the lines of...\n\n"Look, you are my friend and I care about you a lot. It really upsets me that you can't see how beautiful you are. It makes me feel awkward that you seem to have developed some competitiveness about being the slimmest. Life's too short to worry about dieting and being thin. Just be healthy and enjoy life."\n\nIf you think that she is resorting to skipping meals or making herself sick then you need to speak to her parents or get her to speak to a doctor or counselor asap.\n\nYou need to also work out why she wants to be thin; does she feel unattractive and have generally low esteem? Has she grown up in a home where the mum always diets and has weighing scales around the house? I have friends with mothers who are like this and comments like "honey, you've put on weight" slowly eat away at them. Are there other areas of her life that she feels she has no control of and uses her food intake as a method of feeling in control of one area of her life? There may be a few reasons but by getting to the root of the problem you are more likely to find a solution.\n\nI hope some of this helps.
16418
It could also be something called pica.  This is an eating disorder that is characterized by the repeated eating of non-nutritive substances over a period of one month or longer.  You need to discuss this with her parents so they can take her to her pediatrcian and discuess with them for a propoer diagnosis and proper treatment.
868156
Not everyone who is obese has an eating disorder.  Not everyone who is very thin has one either.\nBut yes, there are similarities, and eating disorders manifest differently in different people. There are "normal" weight people with eating disorders too, but it doesn't show on the outside the way it does on a very skinny or very fat person.\nI like the fact that you are not judging either one and showing some curiosity if not compassion.
357385
The most common eating disorders are bulimia and anorexia \n\nAnorexia is characterised by extreme weight loss and intentional starvation \n\nBulimia involves binge eating followed by purging with vomiting or laxatives \n\n90 percent of people with eating disorders are young women or adolescents \n\nThe condition is aggravated by low self esteem and a fear of getting fat \n\nPeople with eating disorders usually think they are bigger than they really are \n\nTreatment may involve a combination of drug therapy and counselling \n\nAbout of half of sufferers will continue to experience eating disorders \n\nHospital care may be necessary for cases of severe starvation. \n\nWhat is it?\n\nEating disorders are a common and serious problem that mainly affect women.\n\nThe main disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.\n\nAnorexia is characterised by extreme weight loss from starvation and bulimia involves overeating followed by vomiting or use of laxatives to stop food from being absorbed.\n\nAbout 90 percent of people with eating disorders are adolescent and young women. About one percent of adolescent girls become anorexic and two to three percent will experience bulimia.\n\nWomen are believed to be more vulnerable to the disorders because of their quest to obtain a so-called ideal thin figure. Both conditions also do occur in men however.\n\nEating disorders can be fatal. One in 10 cases of anorexia leads to cardiac arrest, death from starvation, suicide or other serious medical problems.\n\nMany people who suffer from eating disorders suffer from low self-esteem and a fear of weight gain. The disorders may manifest as a way of dealing with stress and emotional problems.\n\nIt's believed they may develop eating disorders to take control of one area of the their life when they have little control over other events.\n\nWomen with eating disorders may have strange eating habits or rituals, and are often weighing themselves.\n\nEating disorders can run in families. It's believed daughters of mothers who are worried about their child's weight are more at risk, and so are girls who have fathers or brothers who criticise their weight.\n\nThe full reasons why some people develop the condition is not known - it may be a combination of the brain's own chemical balance with environmental factors playing a role.\n\nOften sufferers come from happy well-to-do homes with no apparent reason for the conditions to develop.\n\nWhat are the symptoms?\n\nThe signs of both bulimia and anorexia involve a distorted body image. People who suffer from either disorder will believe they are fatter than they really are. This is particularly true of bulimics. One study found they are likely to believe they are more overweight than anorexics of the same size.\n\nSymptms of anorexia nervosa involve the following signs:\n\nIntentional starvation and extreme weight loss from strict dieting. \nGirls and women with the disorder will look painfully thin to others, but they are likely to believe themselves to be overweight. \nThe problem normally begins at puberty. \nGirls with anorexia are often perfectionists, well behaved, good students and good at sports. \nAnorexia should be considered in vegetarians who have stopped eating meat to avoid fat. Vegetarian diets in conjunction with excessive weight loss may be an indication of anorexia. \nWomen with anorexia may stop regular menstruation, have orthopaedic problems, and dry skin covered with fine hair. \nTheir stomachs can become bloated after eating. \nSevere anorexia can lead to confusion and problems concentrating. \nOther complications include depression, blotchy skin, constipation, no menstruation, and severe malnutrition. \n\nSymptoms of bulimia involve the following signs:\n\nBinge eating of large amounts of food, followed by making themselves vomit, taking laxatives, diet pills, enemas or excessive exercise. \nWomen with bulimia may eat a lot of junk food to sooth emotional stresses a
308254
Bulimia is an eating disorder characterised by repeated episodes of overeating and a preoccupation with the control of body weight. \n\nAnd according to the World Health Organization, the criteria for a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa include the following:\n\n\npersistent preoccupation with eating and an irresistible craving for food.\n\n\nepisodes of overeating in which large amounts of food are consumed in short periods of time.\n\n\nexcessive exercise, induced vomiting after eating, starving for periods of time or taking medicines such as laxatives or diuretics to counteract the bingeing.\n\n\nfear of obesity, which is also seen in people with anorexia nervosa, and there is some overlap in the symptoms of these two diseases.\n\nSo girl, if you think you're having the following symptoms, its time for you to seek some professional help... for more info, try the ff link:
966703
Even younger than 13 you need to be concerned about an eating disorder and sometimes parents don't recognize it.\n\nHave a frank discussion with them about your concerns. She could have anorexia or even a growth hormone disorder that needs treatment. If they refuse to listen, one recourse is reporting this to children's protective services in your area for investigation. Hopefully you can avoid that, but the welfare of the child should be the highest priority. \n\nAnd girls are usually about 90% grown when they reach puberty and have their first period.
929554
It sounds as if your friend suffers from serious depression. I know your intentions to help her are good, but if her condition is due to psychological causes there is nothing you can do for her. She definitely needs professional help. Can't you talk to her parent about this? They have to do something less it ends in a tragedy. I admire you for being such a wonderful friend to her. And believe me, one day she will be grateful too.