it's about my student, i think she has Anorexia?

Question

One day in class i had two student who were not able to precipitate in class, one had a sprained ankle and the other one had a brace on her wrist. The two girls were friends. I walked over to the bench to keep them company, the one girls asked the other if she ate breakfast? the girl said ya, now im not going to eat lunch.. or dinner cause that was my meal. as i was listening to the conversation, the other student called her anarexcia with knowing i was there, im not really sure how to approach this student because i stopped at lunch and all she had was water. Yet, her family has a lot of money. I really need help of what to say and what to do

i am a physical education teacher and i rather not contact her parents i just need to make sure that she is and how to approach her I am very worried

Answer 1

I would talk to her parents and possibly the councilor or something but it is not something you should let go. And as a teacher I think you should know that. Don't ever take anything like that as a joke.

Answer 2

You are good friend. You should be concerned. Skipping meals is unhealthy. There are three types of eating disorders. You can do a few things if you are uncomfortable to go to your friends parents.

1. Write a note to the teacher. Tell her who and why you believe she has a problem. You don't have to sign your name but, make sure you are sure of the problem before accusing her.
.. You can slide the paper in the homework assignment pile. Your teacher will keep you annoymous.

2. Talk to your Parents. Ask your mother what you should do.

You are making a good step to come and say something. You are right your friend will be mad at you for saying something but if you do it like I said she won't know it was you.

You are saving her life. Eating disorders can be deadly.

Check out the web site I attached. These are the signs to look for ...

Answer 3

I think you need to research this topic, as well as be prepared to have the parents and the student question you, as most parents do not want to believe their children aren't perfect. I think it is important that you do something about it. As for the person who said you are not legally obligated, you should know that you will be held liable if something happens and you said nothing; kinda like when your student tells you Asa secret that they are being abused or molested. You HAVE to tell someone, because then that makes you an accessory.
I'm glad you are concerned, it shows that you care and want to help. I wish more teachers were like that.
Even if the parents turn you down, the worse thing you could do, is not do anything at all.

Answer 4

Well from one teacher to another. What you need to do is do a little lesson on eating disorders and talk about the side affects and how it can harm someone in the future. Do your research if you don't know this topic... or even have the health teacher teach this topic. Let the students know that you are there for anything that they need to confide in you about. You don't want to pinpoint the girl out in a large crowd of students because that would make matters worse.

Answer 5

Being a female myself and growing up having friends with eating disorders this is definitely a situation that requires a lot of tactfulness in your approach. Maybe you can bring up the subject in a non threatening way (not sure which subject you teach). But possibly bring it up for class discussion. Possibly the school nurse has some ideas? Maybe you can bring it up in parent teacher conference where it is private and you can talk to her parents face to face? If you do approach her or her parents i would try to make the statements as non threatening as possible i.e. instead of starting a sentence with "you" start with "I". "I believe that there is a problem" not "Do you have a problem?" And i hate to say this, but with any addiction/disorder it has to start with the person realizing the damage they are doing to themselves and want to change for the better. Good Luck

Answer 6

In most countries, as a teacher, you have legal responsibilities that are over and above those of most other individuals.

Call her parents and ask them to come and meet you. Or, ask them if you can come to their home and meet them. Tell them exactly what you heard and what you've also seen. Make certain before that to research anorexia and to have some idea where they can go to start getting her help.

Expect them to resist, unless they are also suspicious. If they do, you might identify the other girl, and suggest that they speak to her as well, but only if you already have the approval of that other girl.

Even if you didn't have a legal obligation to do this, you have a moral one. We all of us have that moral obligation.

Answer 7

I think you should contact the guidance counselor and her parents first thing in the morning. Tell them what you overheard and offer to help in any way.

PS I bet you're a science teacher since you wrote "precipitate" instead of "participate"!

Answer 8

are you sure you're a teacher? try spell check next time. excessive exercising, under eating, fine downy hair over the body, bad teeth are some signs. most anorexics will not admit they have a problem. more than likely this person is just showing off or trying to get attention

Answer 9

You don't have any legal duty to do anything, as long as she isn't harming herself. But if you want to be a good person, then you should call her parents and explain the situation to them. But chances are that they're already aware of this or too busy to really pay attention to her.

Answer 10

When I falling into anorexia when I was in high school, my friends/teacher told the school counselor. If your school has a counselor, refer her to him/her and express your concerns with him/her. If your school does not have a counselor, call the parents and set up a meeting with them where they can come and speak to you individually about your concerns.