Ask The Expert
Dying to be Thin
What's the right thing to do if you suspect your friend has an eating disorder? It's a difficult subject to broach even with a very close friend, but it's important to tackle the issue head-on before it gets worse. UKTV Style's Agony Aunt Debbie Rix has some advice...
Dear Debbie,
I'm worried that my friend has anorexia or bulimia. She talks about food non-stop but hardly eats anything. When I ask her about it she laughs and says I only need to look at her to see she's eating enough. She has always been slim but has lost more weight recently and looks way too skinny. What should I do?
Thanks
UKTV Style's Agony Aunt replies:
Hi there,
Eating disorders are such a complex problem and are usually an indication that someone feels their life is, in some way, out of their control. Food, and their intake of it, becomes the only thing they feel they have any power over. It goes without saying that something this complex requires pretty specialist attention but all the professional organisations working in this area agree that early intervention is vital if you are to prevent a potential anorexic or bulimic becoming seriously ill. So, the sooner you pluck up the courage to step in and speak out, the better the outcome is likely to be for your friend.
From what you have said, I think it certainly sounds like she has an unhealthy attitude to food - and the fact that she is losing weight fast and talks about it all the time, sounds worrying. I'm also concerned about the way she laughs when you mention it - as if she is frightened of being 'found out', and forced to give up her 'addiction'.
However hard or embarrassing it may be, I think you must take the bull by the horns and speak to her about it. But, before tackling her head-on, it might be a good idea to take a look at the websites of two organisations that specialise in eating disorders, and arm yourself with some useful information.
I'm worried that my friend has anorexia or bulimia. She talks about food non-stop but hardly eats anything. When I ask her about it she laughs and says I only need to look at her to see she's eating enough. She has always been slim but has lost more weight recently and looks way too skinny. What should I do?
Thanks
UKTV Style's Agony Aunt replies:
Hi there,
Eating disorders are such a complex problem and are usually an indication that someone feels their life is, in some way, out of their control. Food, and their intake of it, becomes the only thing they feel they have any power over. It goes without saying that something this complex requires pretty specialist attention but all the professional organisations working in this area agree that early intervention is vital if you are to prevent a potential anorexic or bulimic becoming seriously ill. So, the sooner you pluck up the courage to step in and speak out, the better the outcome is likely to be for your friend.
From what you have said, I think it certainly sounds like she has an unhealthy attitude to food - and the fact that she is losing weight fast and talks about it all the time, sounds worrying. I'm also concerned about the way she laughs when you mention it - as if she is frightened of being 'found out', and forced to give up her 'addiction'.
However hard or embarrassing it may be, I think you must take the bull by the horns and speak to her about it. But, before tackling her head-on, it might be a good idea to take a look at the websites of two organisations that specialise in eating disorders, and arm yourself with some useful information.
