My close friend is anorexic. She told me. How do I talk to her? Are there things that I should or shouldnt say

Answer 1

You should not tell her to eat. You put her in an impossible position then because she is your friend and she wants to respect your advice but eating is something that is painful to her. And more importantly than what you shouldn't say there is what you shouldn't assume. Anorexia is not the box it is written up to be just as everybody is an individual. There are physical symptoms in common but psychologically many different reasons they are trapped in this illness. Anorexia is not about eating or weight that is a symptom, it is about the persons psychological struggle to feel comfortable in themself. you have to try and be understanding not pressurising, you have to give her space not impose your own idea of what is best for her because getting better from anorexia can't be about becoming the averag e weight - that hasn't solved anything in the persons mind and has wrongly put everything about the disease down to what people think they look like when what they feel like is much more important. I think recovery is all about helping her discover who she is, becoming comfortable in that and letting her know how much you value that person.

Answer 2

You love your friend and in the end you want them to stop hurting themselves. If by yourself you can not convince them to seek help, you may have to organize an intervention with other concerned friends, or family.

http://www.anorexiaintervention.com/

Answer 3

I understand you want her to stop hurting herself, however, it is HER responsibility and not yours. All you can do is be a friend to her. Don't give her advise. She has to take responsibility, not you.

Answer 4

its a complicated issue, not as simple as just telling her to eat more. what she really needs is proffesional advice. you should try and get her to see a doctor, who can better advise her.

Answer 5

u should tell her to eat! and u shouldn't tell her that she's fat!