Noticing+Signs+and+Symptoms,+and+Helping+Someone+You+Know

Your friend may have have an eating disorder. Notice the signs and symptoms, and try to help he/she!

__ Signs and Symptoms __ __ Help Someone You Know That Has an Eating Disorder __
 * Starts to have an obbsession of weight and food (calories, fat grams)
 * Feels the need to exercise all the time
 * Doesn't hang out with friends on food occasions
 * Starts to wear baggy clothing to cover up their shape
 * Goes on very restrictive diets (moves food around instead of eating it)
 * Compares with others on how much they eat
 * Goes to the bathroom a lot, usually after meals (Bulimic)
 * Always talks about how fat he/she is
 * Appears to be gaining weight even though they never eat
 * Buys or takes laxatives, steroids, or herbal teas to lose weight
 * Tendency to faint, bruise easily, become very pale, or complains to be cold more than usual
 * Usually has mood swings or depression
 * Hides food in strange places (closets, suitcases, cabinets) to avoid eating (anorexic) or to eat later (bulimic)
 * Visits websites about losing weight
 * Frequently eating alone

Should:
 * In general:
 * help find a good mode of recovery that will work for anorexic or bulimic
 * Listen attentively and communicate
 * ask others (professionals) for help
 * If you are a parent of a child that is under 18:
 * bring the child to a doctor
 * always stay attuned with you child
 * If you have a relationship with that person:
 * be supportive and encouraging
 * gently express the concern
 * listen with an open heart

Shouldn't:
 * force an anorexic to eat or a bulimic from purging
 * immediately concertrate on the food aspect of the disorder
 * force the choice to recover and to deal with the emotional issues in their life
 * NEVER say....
 * "Are you sick?"
 * "Would you just eat already?!"
 * "I don't understand WHY you don't just eat"
 * "Why are you doing this to me?"
 * "You have good things in your life, what's the problem?"
 * "Why are you doing this to yourself?"

“Eating Disorder Treatment and Recovery” Somthingfishy.org “I Think My Friend May Have an Eating Disorder. What Should I Do?” KidsHealth.org