Facts, Answers, and Questions
My friend has an eating disorder. What can I do to help her?
Hopefully, she is in therapy under the supervision of a therapist educated in treated eating disorders. If she has not yet sought help, you can start by encouraging her to reach out for help. Sometimes, a person struggling with an eating disorder wishes not to seek help. In that situation, there is not much you, or anyone else can do, to convince them to reach out. If this is the case, you need to back off trying to force them to get help (unless it is an emergency situation.) Be sure to remind them that they are not alone in this battle. There are millions of people going through the same thing. Assure her that your view of her has not changed any, and that no matter what happens, you will always be there for her.
If the person is a minor, you always have the option of telling their parents. However, this puts you at risk for losing a friend, but if you don't take this action, your friend could die. I would encourage talking to a parent, explaining the situation and what you know, while asking them not to let her know that you were the one that told. While having this conversation, it is important that you bring with you some basic information on eating disorders, especially the signs and sypmtoms and showing them what you have noticed in their daughter. Best of luck to you!
I am XXX pounds. Does this mean that I have an eating disorder?
You may, you may not. Eating disorders are not about weight. They are about what is going on internally (i.e. how a person feels and copes.) Some people are at a low weight due to metabolic disorders, etc. In the day we live in, society tends to only reconize eating disorders in the severly emaciated, which is a problem. ED sufferers can die at any weight at any stage of their eating disorder. So, in a short answer, no, just because you weight XXX doesn't mean you have an ED.
How long does it take to recover from an eating disorder?
It is different for each person. Many factors determine how fast (or slow) the recovery process will take. The duration of the eating disorder, severity, and willingness to recover will all play a part in the time it takes to recover. The average (eh..I hate that word) time it takes to recover is about 3 1/2 years. Recovery is when the behaviors end (although the thoughts are still there), and the emotional issues begin to be worked on. This takes time. Be patient with yourself.
I was recently diagnosed with anorexia. Am I doomed for life?
Absolutely not! Although it is a hard disease to get over, it is more than possible. You can start to reclaim your life by finding a therapist that specializes in eating disorders. Eating Disorder Referrals
Myths
Only white, teenage, upper class girls get eating disorders.
False. Unfortunatly, eating disorders do not discriminate. Approximately 5% of all ED sufferers are male. Any sex, race, religion, social class, and economic class can suffer from an ED. Yes, a lot of sufferers are white, teenage girls that suffer from eating disorders, but there are also many African Americans and Hispanics that suffer as well.
Send all questions and/or common myths to help4eds@yahoo.com |