I have a friend with an eating disorder.?
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Hi there,
I know that your friend would be mad at you if you told her parents. However, she needs help because she is slowly killing herself. If nobody helps her she is at risk for so many problems and death .
Eating disorders are very serious, and they are like an addiction.
Please tell someone who can get her the help she needs before it is too late. she might get mad, but will thank you later for saving her life.
Try to let her know that that you are concerned about about her health without being pushy and that you are willing to help her through this and go to appointments if necessary.
What's the disorder? Can you talk to her counselor at school next month?
I have a little experience on the matter. My husband just went through rehab due to a pill addiction. I learned there from one of the meetings for the entire family that it is a treatable disease. This can be anything from pills, drinking, porn, and yes any type of eating behavior..the list is endless, its an addiction. and I learned the hard way you can not change it. interventions do not always work if this person is FORCED to stop their are more likely to RESTART later at some point. They are going to have to be the ones to make up their mind that THEY have the problem.
The only advice I can give is what I was given from the hospital. "take care of yourself" that means emotionally, spiritaully, and healthy.and learn the three C's
You did not CAUSE the disease.
You cannot CONTROL the disease.
You cannot CURE the disease.
seek help for yourself, I went to Al-Anon, yes it started out long ago for family and friends who had loved ones that drink...but now they have it combined with ever other addiction out there. Al-Anon gives you the tools in life you need to help you learn and understand their addictions.
there a chance your friend thinks she can't stop. she will have to hit bottom before she sees she needs help. But it is only her that will make that decision. And it would be wise for her to continue a inpatient or outpatient support group to help her get through this. Most hospitals have this type of help. I KNOW St. Dominic has one in my area, its called Behavioral Health Services and its not only for the patient...but they have support groups for FRIENDS and family like I was telling you about. but just about every town has a Al-Anon group.
and if we are talking about an under age person...18 or younger. It is best you TELL the parents. If you truly love your friend you would want her parents helping her. Because an eating disorder can kill her. I think I would rather her be MAD at me then having to attend her funeral. Just as my husband was mad he had to go in the hospital...a month later he understood he had a problem, he then understood he could have killed himself. They can NOT understand it can harm or kill them at the time of doing this.only when its too late or like my husband he got help and he is fine now. But he will do these meetings for the rest of his life. but its a better reward then having to plan a fureral...huh?
just talk to her try and get her to seek help or admit it. Tell her how you feel about it
Show her websites or literature about it. Give her info. on it, now & then. Just be her friend, otherwise. We can't always help in situations as much as we'd like to.
Chances are her parents already know she is sick if she lives with them. I think you should say something to them.
Eating disorders are serious and need to be treated. I've been battling ED for 9 years and suffered for about 8 or 9 years before getting help. Intense individual therapy and group therapy are immensely important for healing. ED can kill. They also cause long term health issues.
She probably will be mad for a while and she may be in denial. ED takes over your mind and body and you have to work hard to control it.
If you have questions, you can email me @ michelek71@yahoo.com
Good luck!
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