Anorexia/Bulimia...

[4 Dog Mother]

Christy dealt with anorexia in high school and I know that when her friends said anything she blew them off. People dealing with eating disorders do not see themselves as they really are. They look in mirrors and still see themselves as FAT. Saying something to her won't help. You need to go to another adult so they can contact her parents or contact her parents yourself. She won't get the help on her own.

It could be that her parents are aware and are trying to get help. Finding someone even in this day and age to give her the help she needs can be a difficult process. We had Christy going to a doctor who supposedly knew how to help her. Her school counselor called me at work one day and said some of the teachers were concerned because she had lost so much weight and were we aware and doing something about it. That doctor was a flake - even came to a point where he said Carl and I needed counseling because Christy wanted to be a vegetarian and we were trying to make her eat meat! We made some phone calls, found a counselor that could help and a new doctor. Things didn't change overnight but eventually she did put on the weight she needed. Even today though she worries alot about her weight. I agree with Sourya that she will never get over her obsession with weight.

Your friend needs help. Be a friend and go to an adult, please.

[Vio&Juni]

I wouldn't rush to make a big thing out of it, until I notice something serious about it. Remember, she's 15 (right, Laura?) years old. Some girls are very thin at this age. I was this way, my sister still is very thin and it's not an eating disorder, and it wasn't in my case too. I was 22 yo and at 5'1" I was about 88 pounds. There are different reasons for this.

In our schools, we pass a mandatory test in the beginning of the year and at the end - weight, height, and other medical tests if needed. A doctor could tell more about it.

If you notice that she doesn't eat at the cafeteria (if you have one), or if she eats, but she goes to the bathroom immediately, or if she's taking laxatives or other pills (very often a person with problems will try to take them as no one notices), then talk to her, talk to her parents or a councelor at school. Keep an eye on her, anyway.

[leslie flenner]

Tell an adult who will be helpful! Just this March I learned of a friend who had died in Dec. She started her anorexa at age 17 (we were in high school) and it finally killed her. Her parents were involved in knowing but am not sure how much family counseling happened- it would've been 1975 when this started. I last saw her about 8 years ago and she looked like crap (but did not present as though she felt bad). She was very much a "winner" and had learned the Russian language and been to Russia. Being over-achievers is a trait of eating disorders. They are trying to "please" the family. (Correct me if I'm wrong those in the know with current info- that was what I last understood).
This is a FAMILY PROBLEM!! You will feel better once you know the family is aware and the right resources are being used. And by the way, there is no cut and dry "treatment". But she may need medical attention if not now, then soon, which would lead to getting help emotionally.
You are a good "not really a friend"!!!

[halliecat]

When I was in high school, I was 5' 8" and 105 pounds...I was healthy but picky eater...I had always been under a doctor's care since I was so underweight...

You should talk to your freind and see what is going on. She should be seeing someone if she is not. If she is, she should be glad someone is so concernes.

BTW I now weigh between 135 - 140 lbs depending on the time of the month!

[leslie flenner]

Any update? What's happening???

[Desert Arabian]

Well, she and I went on an art field trip together to the Milwaukee Art Museum. When we were there she ate a HUGE slice of pizza. These pizza slices were so huge they were practically the size of a whole pizza. She also had a large 64 oz. soda. And today in art class she had some bottled water. The other day I saw her eating a little bag of popcorn.

I do see her eating, but still, it worries me, even if it is not anorexia/buliema causing her to be skinny, it's still has to be dangerous- it HAS to be, I mean, omg, she's like a rail...I need to get a picture of her, you have to see her, it's scary.

[luckies4me]

Is it possible she could be suffering from some other sort of illness?

[slleipnir]

I knew a girl in school who was incredibly skinny. I don't know howmuch she weighed, but I thought she had anorexia. Anyway, my cousin was like best friends with her and said it was some other problem..I don't remember what it's called, but it's nothing to do with her not eating. Could it be that?

As for anorexia and bulimia, I unfortantly had a front row seat in seeing how bad it can be. My sister had and I guess is still struggling with it a little bit. She seems to pretty much be over it but it's hard. She is around 5'6 - 5'8 at one point she weight 70 pounds. So yeah, she was in the hospital with feeding tubes almost at the point where should was very close to death. If you suspect something, I wouldn't leave it. There definitally is a time when it's 'too late'. However, anorexia people tend to be very defensive if you say stuff like that to them. I'm notsure how you would go about it, but I think if that's what it is, something should be done. Does she go to the bathroom after she eats?

[CamCamPup33]

I'm not sure if you already talked to her or not, but i didn't see this thread before..

Im 5'6, and i weigh 106 pounds.. I eat and everything, i mean i eat.. But i just don't gain weight. Period. I'm not anorexic or bulimic, i just don't gain weight.. If you ask her you might hurt her feelings. I know if someone asked me that i would be hurt, because i am skinny, and i hate it.. So if you aren't almost positive i wouldn't ask.

That's just my two sense.