[Hillary06]

Hello...I need help! My friends and I believe that one of my best friend may have an eating disorder. We dont know what to do to help her. We dont know how to approach her to help her. She has told 2 of my friends that she has thrown up a few times but then stopped. We all believe she has started again. She works out ALL the time and never really eats (well atleast when we are all together) If anyone has any tips on how to approach her to help her....please tell me!! We all care about her but she is VERY sensitive and may get offended id we say something she doesnt like! I htank you for your time and hopefully your help

11

[Rapunzel]

People who have eating disorders tend to deny it and work very hard to hide their problem from people who would help them. It goes along with the territory, but it is very dangerous. Can you talk to her parents or someone who can get her into treatment? And then, encourage her to accept help (treatment), and let her know that you care about her and accept her for who she is. People do die from eating disorders, so it isn't something to take lightly, however, just coming out and confronting her with it might just push her into trying harder to hide it. It's so important to be supportive. Not an easy situation.

<font color=orange>"If we are going to insist that people pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, we must ensure that they have boots."</font color=orange>