About 6 months ago I started dieting for the fist time, and I have lost 10 pounds. My friend is very concerened that I have anorexia. I know the signs/symptoms of anorexia and I am positive that I don't have it. How can I prove to her that she has no reason to be worried?
2007-04-18 11:32:33 · 9 answers · asked by hilary 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Anorexia nervosa has pretty specific diagnostic criteria that most people aren't aware of. In particular, for postmenarcheal, premenopausal females, you have to not get your period for three consecutive months to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Also, your body weight has to be less than 85% of the expected weight, which if you're still dieting, I'm assuming that it's not (if it is, then your friend is right to be conserned). So to prove you don't meet those criteria, you'd just need to tell your friend what you weight (or get on a scale if she doesn't believe you), and type your height and weight into a BMI calculator to show you're not underweight. And if you really wanted to prove you are getting your period, well, I'm sure it would be a lot of fun, but if you were despirate enough to prove you're not anorexic, that would probably do it...
You can find the full diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa here: http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/anorexia.htm
But what most people mean when they say anorexia includes things that would actually fall under eating disorder, not otherwise specified (EDNOS), which is just as much an eating disorder as anorexia nervosa, and can be just as dangerous, but doesn't have the same diagnostic criteria. What people usually mean is that you're eating less food that you need to.
Losing 10 pounds in 6 months is generally fine provided you are still within the healthy range for your body type. That's not the kind of weight loss you'd expect with anorexia nervosa, or other restrictive type eating disorders. You could look for reliable sources that support this to help convience your friend you're ok.
It might also help to go out to lunch or dinner with your friend a few times, so she can see that you're eating normally. But if she thinks that losing 10 pounds in 6 months is cause for concern, I'm not sure how much it would help.
2007-04-18 11:52:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here is a great site on eating disorders, read a little about anorexia, get the facts, then show her your not, tell her by example. Actions are always stronger than words.
http://www.myeatingdisorder.com
That's the best advice I can give. If your eating enough throughout the day, and yoru a healthy weight range, she should have no reason to worry.
Hope this helps!
Toni Lynne :)
2007-04-18 14:00:30 · answer #2 · answered by tonilynne 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sit her down and tell her that you appreciate any concern and you understand that she cares for you. And tell her she doesn't need to worry about you or the possibility of anorexia, that you are being healthy.
2007-04-18 11:43:16 · answer #3 · answered by Randi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a copy of the signs & symptoms from a reliable source, and show it to her. Then, spend a bunch of time with her, and let her see for herself that you don't exhibit these signs & symptoms.
2007-04-18 11:41:36 · answer #4 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eat some food in front of her
2007-04-18 11:37:46 · answer #5 · answered by momfirst101 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
tell her that your not anorixic an get a doctors note stating that your not
2007-04-18 11:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by ballin girl 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
eat healthy food in front of her.
2007-04-18 11:42:08 · answer #7 · answered by NIGEL R 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
hmmm........well if you were anorexic you would be really skinny. skinny people dont diet so no worry then
2007-04-18 11:37:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
by not addressing it in any way
2007-04-18 11:58:04 · answer #9 · answered by joelius24 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋