I work in a small office and we have a new girl who is clearly anorexic. She is sickly skinny and hasn't eaten at work in 3 weeks (full 8 hour days). I am worried about her health and her work performance, I think she has some good work qualities but something is off w/ her social interaction . My boss and I have no idea if this is something we need to ignore (because of boundaries) or say something about. We wouldn't even know what to say. Does anyone out there have any experiences with this that might shed some light on what to do. It is hard because she is so new and I like her but I don't feel comfortable with her yet and I dont want to hurt her feelings or make her uncomfortable at work.
2006-08-08 12:50:45 · 8 answers · asked by a.s 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Personally, I would get to know her more, and hopefully get comfortable enough to confront her on it. But i wouldnt do it until then. If shes anorexic, she obviously has many insecuities, and maybe suicidal, so some one saying something too soon, is a real bad idea.
2006-08-08 12:58:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't say anything... I am underweight, I do eat at home- actually a lot, but at work, I have so much to do that I don't have time to do more than nibble on something here or there. I have heard it from my coworkers for a long time- it seems like once or twice a month- someone feels the need to have a heart to heart with me and ask me if I have an eating disorder.... It only makes me mad, it ruins my day, it makes me think even more about my body, and it pulls me away from my coworkers even more- because I know that if someone finally came up and said it to my face that they have been talking about it behind my back for a LONG TIME!!! Just let it go- I'm sure that she has family and friends who are much closer to her and able to get her help if she really needs it.
2006-08-08 20:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by lili 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anorexics have a distorted body image and see themselves as fat, and extreme weight loss does not alleviate their idea that they are too fat.
She may have other health issues; she may be recovering from an extended illness; she may have had injuries that prevent her from eating normally.
In fact, she may not be anorexic. But if she is, pressure in the workplace is not going to be productive for anyone.
But you can always smile and greet her with enthusiasm when she comes to work. I think that compliments on her appearance, without mention of her emaciation, might help her feel better. And praise her work, for any and all points of tasks done well. Invite her to share breaks, offer her ice water or tea, if she refuses coffee or colas.
It is very difficult not to feel compassion for someone like this co-worker. It is even more difficult to be tactful and helpful to her.
Actually, being a friend starts with accepting her as she is, and not becoming acquainted so you can remake her into an image you deem better.
That is why compassion is so hard to deal with. We cannot "fix" someone else, no matter how much we want them to be "normal".
Anyone who feels "different" needs acceptance. Everybody needs love regardless of whether they feel "deserving".
So just being genuinely friendly may be the most wonderful thing to happen to her in a long while.
If she feels the place of employment is friendly and therefore comfortable, it will alleviate her suffering.
2006-08-08 20:26:16 · answer #3 · answered by elaine_classen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
invite her to lunch with you or ask to eat lunch with her if you eat at work. if she once again didn't bring a lunch that day, hint at something like "wow you must be hungry after working a full 8 hours and no food! where do you get your energy?" see what she has to say.. maybe she has no money for lunch or some other weird reason.
for the most part this is not your business but i would hate to have another girl suffer from this. just be a good friend to her and maybe she'll open up some day
2006-08-08 19:59:06 · answer #4 · answered by blueberry-yum-yum! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quietly take her aside some day and ask her tactfully if she is aware she is very underweight. She could have a metabolic disease, or some other problem. If she denies she is underweight, or says she is fat, or admits she has a problem get her help by contacting someone close to her, family, friend. You could also help her find a counselor and it always helps to just be supportive.
2006-08-08 19:59:50 · answer #5 · answered by just a girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe there is more to the story and something is wrong at home. Now would be a good time to make friends with her and let her know your concerns. She might just be waitng for a good friend and afraid to ask for help.
2006-08-08 20:00:02 · answer #6 · answered by tabbi_jo_koed 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say anything because its simply none of your business. If you had a fat co worker who was eating a lot you wouldn't feel the need to say anything to them. Do you confront every coworker that smokes who is slowly killing themselves that way? I didn't think so.
2006-08-08 20:03:57 · answer #7 · answered by BeachBABE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never experienced this but you can go here and talk to people who have http://helpprob.bravehost.com/ed.html
2006-08-08 19:57:47 · answer #8 · answered by christigmc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋