my cousin appears to be suffering from anorexia, desperately thin, she has been dragged to the docs by her mum and had some tests done which came back ok, so she says thats it, shes fine, she is quite clearly NOT fine. we are sure she weighs about 5 stone. what can we do? we are thinking of getting her mum to see the doc without her being there to discuss it.....what do you all think? we feel she is being left behind and until something really bad happens it will just carry on....
2007-07-16 09:36:34 · 7 answers · asked by tedster201 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Anorexia is a very controlling and secretive disorder and some anorexics will adopt manipulation tactics to continue thier practices.It is a very emotional and sensitive situation to be in both for the anorexic and for the observers.Her mother will need a lot of support and information to begin to assist your cousin.The main priority is to get a correct diagnosis and i am surprised that the GP has not picked up that your cousin may have anorexia.Her mom would be within her rights to talk to the GP to ask for advice.She could start to keep a log of what your cousin is eating and any other unusual behaviour such as your cousin making excuses not to eat or becoming withdrawn and secretive or going to the bathroom after meals(to vomit).Look out for laxative use and increased exercise also.Because anorexics can get a buzz from the control over thier food consumption your cousin may not display any signs of depression or anxiety but bear in mind this will come eventually.Please do not be angry or judgemental with your cousin as this will not help.Anorexia is a symptom of an underlying psychological trauma and needs to be treated as such.There will be difficulty getting your cousin to admit anything is going and it could take a long time to get recovery started as your cousin will have to want to get better.Get some good books on the subject to familiarise yourselves with the symptoms and solutions and look up the eating disorder helplines for support.Good Luck.
2007-07-16 10:23:57 · answer #1 · answered by Niamh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know what ...doctors dont wanna deal with anorexia.
I was anorexic and went to 6 stone in weight.I had to go to another country to find out i had anorexia because the doctors here don't give a toss.
Dont seek help get her to eat little and often and she will gain her weight quickly.
Go to boots and buy a milkshake called rapid weight gain ( reccomended to me) I'm now almost 9 stone and this was 8 months ago.
Seriously if you dont help her the doctors wont.
2007-07-16 16:42:48 · answer #2 · answered by ஐ♥Nikki♥ஐ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the definition of anorexia is anyone that eats less than 800 calories a day. If your friend is packing away the food but just remains thin, then she is not anorexic. But, if she is not eating at least 800 calories a day, then, regardless of what lab tests may indicate right now, she most certainly is anorexic. Perhaps if you educated her mom to the definition of anorexia, and told her how dangerous it can be, then she may be willing to push for treatment for her daugher.
2007-07-16 16:42:00 · answer #3 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could ask her about her views on healthy diets...dont ask her accusingly...maybe get a magazine with young starlets in it & discuss what she feels they are like....
You have gotta make a friend of her because she will have some-one to confide in should she need to...
If she has got the beginnings of Anorexia she needs all the support she can get. Get the family to offer nice compliments about her personality...it will take her mind off the weight problem she feels she has...
2007-07-16 16:44:41 · answer #4 · answered by skippy's mum 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always below the waist.
2007-07-16 16:39:07 · answer #5 · answered by shambklyn 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
all i can say to this is go very slowly and very carefully.
good luck
2007-07-16 16:45:18 · answer #6 · answered by misred 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
give her a sandwich
2007-07-16 16:40:32 · answer #7 · answered by DZOGGY 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋