how to help a friend with an eating disorder?
93358
I know some people that have had this and I'm sure you realize how serious eating disorders are. Try to help her decide to get over it. She must be the one that decides. Watch her because as you know, it can be life threatening. If she gets in too much trouble you must get her to a hospital. Until then, take steps to let her know it is a problem that needs help. If her family would help then get them to know.
92962
Your friend needs you to be there no matter how long it takes. Make sure this person is seeking help. Probably chemical imbalance and needs the right meds. The problem is finding the right doctor who can put her on the right meds. Family physicians can give her meds, but she really needs to see a specialest who knows what he is doing. The wrong doctor may mean the end of her life. \nYou must not give up and always be there no matter how sick you get of hearing about this problem. Of course, if this person will not seek professional help, there may be hardships in your friendship.
1076132
I guess I would first ask you if she wants to be helped. I don't think you'll be able to do anything for her until she has reached to point of wanting to change. Once she is there you have lots of options.\n\nFirst and foremost - she needs to see a dietician. Even something as simple as Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. A self-regulated diet won't work. She needs a friend and a counselor to help her along the way (kind of like a sponsor at AA).\n\nThere are many other things to do, but getting professional help is the best thing for her...\n\nGOOD LUCK!
749941
Hi Sammi\n\nPlease educate yourself on Nutrition. When you dont have enough your body can go into a state of shock and you can all types of symptoms or issues. Here are some ideas on how to get better. \n\nBulimia\n\nCause\nNutrient deficiencies (especially zinc), food allergies, and amino acid imbalances can all result from or contribute to bulimia, and therefore should be screened for. In addition, although in both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the underlying causative factors are commonly believed to be solely due to an obsession with body fat, a fear of being (or becoming) fat, or over-concern with perfectionism and are indeed important. \n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nNatural Cures\n\nDiet: A whole foods diet with regular eating patterns is very important. Also avoid all products containing sugar and white flour, and be sure to obtain sufficient protein sources to adequately nourish the body. Drink distilled water at least a gallon a day.\n\nFlower Essences: Various essences can be useful for addressing the underlying emotional and mental states of imbalance and negativity such as fears, perfectionism, manipulative behavior, depression, and anxiety. Crab Apple is particularly useful for coping with obsessive habits relating to body image. \n\nHomeopathy: Calc carb., Ipecac., and Graphites are useful remedies for bulimia. \n\nNutritional Supplementation: Liquid ionic multi-mineral complex and multivitamin complex supplements can help overcome the extreme vitamin and mineral deficiencies associated with binge and purge eating and overuse of laxatives. Complex amino acids can also assist in balancing blood sugar levels, which helps reduce food cravings. \n\nAlternative Professional Care \nIf your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving the symptoms of bulimia: Biofeedback Training, Hypnotherapy, Light Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Qigong, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.\n\nBest of health to you\n\nCheers
584038
Is she sick? Does she have an eating disorder? If she is just ill, try giving her gingerale or some anti-nausea medication like Coca Cola syrup over crushed ice (you can get it at a pharmacy) or PeptoBismol. Keep her hydrated with water or PediaLyte.\n\nIf it's an eating disoder, she needs to go see a doctor and a therapist for help to get through this. Eating disorders are very hard and take time to "cure". You need to be there for her and reassure her you are mad at her disease and not her, and that you are getting her help for her own good. She may hate you for a while but at least she won't be killing herself with food or lack of it.
620956
I suggest getting her into a rehabilition program there are great ones all over the country that deal with just eating disorders or have a speciality program from them.  The best way to help her is not to ask but give. You and your parents need to have a sit down with her. (An intervention) You all need to write down everything that you love about, what her best qualities are, and what you see happening to her. Also a good tacket is if telling her all that stuff doesn't work, have her lay down on the couch close her eyes and have her a "funeral" (I know it sounds bad,but it really does help) she is not aloud to talk. But you all come up to her say everything you love. And talk about how the disorder killed her and how it has affected you. Tell her what ended up happening to all of you after she died. Like for example you started failing in school and ended up with the same eating disorder she had. And mom started losing weight because she was so depressed she would forget, she lost her job because the boss couldn't handle her crying infront of clients. Dad was never home anymore because he couldn'e handle everything, he became an alcoholic. Their is constant fighting.  When she hears things like this it is going to hurt her and she should realize how she is hurting all of you.
321752
Encourage her to do things for her. Help her to raise her self esteem.  Let her know that she is important and that you care for her. Tell her she looks fine.\nAnd you can talk normally with her, I'd recommend don't say to her how pretty are top models or other women (above all if they are skinny or very skinny). You can let her know that the people very skinny can affect their health. That every one must find one their ideal weight, and it is the weight you feel confortable with and also is healthy for you.
883786
Have you talked to a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders? Recognizing your problem puts you on the road to recovery, so I hope you'll follow up with a professional who can help.\n\nGood luck!
128722
Just keep telling you're self why you want to lose the weight in the first place.  Then tell you're friends why you can't eat out with they as much as you use to.  If they are good friends they will understand.
819132
Regardless of what we say, you need a professional to help you. that way there is someone that can help you over come your eating disorder. We can tell you what you should do, but that will not get you over you fear. Get a handle on it now before it cause heart, kidney and liver damage or even death
949867
Try an eating disorder support group.\nNow where did I stash that Snickers bar?
791859
You don't help them at all. You support them and be there when they need a friend but if you try to do more than that it could be counter productive to their recovery process. It's not suppose to be easy.
832472
i feel bad for you, and I'm sorry. i had a friend with an eating disorder. please don't do this to yourself. its not about food, there is an underlying issue. please contact the hospital, they will put you in with a phsycologist. or better yet call the help line at 18009312237
35336
Take this form me...if i no one thing its eatting disorders.. okay... are they depressed to? or cut themselveS? if so then DONT tell a counsilor... what do you think thehy'd do when they got home? just stop.. no the counsilor adds onto the stress... if it got out of hand then tell their parents... you need to be there for them, b/c i no they need you as a freind... or famiy or w/e you are to them.. dont force them to do anything.. unless its eat a little bit .... b/c if you threaten them.. it almsot always works honestly... but if you say put them in rehab no okay if you FORCE them into rehab it wont work b/c all they'll think is "ill show her.... ill lose even MORE weight...see how she lieks it then" u need to tell her thre are better ways so on give her the lexcture..that i hear all teh time " you dont have to tell me wahts wrong... but you have to tell somone.."  ok? i hope i helped this is a VERY delicate situation
630850
Have him come over to your house. Before you do this google picture and all these articles on anorexia and all the problems that is can cause including the long term effect--DEATH! After you do this have him come over and have a serious talk with him and say that you are worried about him.  Show him all the research and talk with him.\n\nIf this doesn't work, then you need to tell someone because he is hurting him self.  Maybe like a school couslner, mom/ dad, girlfriend of his, anyone that will have a bigger influence on him them you.\n\nI know this must be hard. But remember you can only help so much. He has to want to change to.  Good Luck
811699
The best thing you can do for your friend is to be supportive.  It sounds as if you are off to a good start. \n\nIf she is newly diagnosed, it may be very hard for her to make the lifestyle changes that she needs to make.  It is hard to have a salad when everyone else is having greasy burgers and french fries.  Or to drink diet soda when everyone else is having milkshakes.   It may be easier for her if you made some of the changes with her.\n\nIf your friend cooks, get her a 'diabetic' cookbook.  There are lots of good ones out there.  With the holidays right around the corner, it will be especially difficult for her to give up all of the sweets.  Maybe if you were to make her one of her favorites using Splenda, and give her the recipe.\n\nWith diet changes and exercise, she will do well.  \n\nGood luck
895754
I had friend who had an eating disorder, and I had one myself.\n\nI was (and are now) in gymnastics and ballet. Both tough, need to be in great shape, and I also had the peer pressure of your teenage years.\nI really wasn't overweight too much, but I had so much stress about numerous things and I was constantly eating. I finally looked into the mirror and hated what I saw. I'm making a long story short here. I knew I had a problem and so did everyone else.  I got help before it got too serious. You have a psychologist for many years, even after you take up healthy eating habits, because it never goes away. The only way to become healthy again is to get medical help, and fast. I don't think it really affects any ones performance unless they become too weak to do anything, but I'd hope someone had noticed by then. It comes from pressure, or wanting some control, I don't know, it's different for anyone, there are so many causes. In gymnastics, most are technically overweight because of all the muscle they have, but its not fat. If you are chubby, as long as you have good stunts and tricks, who cares if you are overweight. But if you can't do them, you have no reason to be in it, and they want their team to look good in competitions. They have  to either loose weight or they get kicked out.