 Distorted Body Image |
| Drastic weight loss and weight is still dropping |
| Intense fear/anxiety about gaining weight |
| Preoccupation with weight, calories, food, etc. |
| Feelings of guilt after eating |
| Denial of hunger |
| Low self-esteem |
| Avoids many social situations, and withdraws from usual friends and activities |
| Constant excuses for not eating |
| Frequent comments about feeling "fat" despite weight loss. |
| Excessively and compulsively exercises |
| Constant complaints of being cold |
| Develops certain food rituals |
| Paleness, dizziness, or fainting spells |
| Intense, dramatic mood swings |
| Gaunt appearance, yellowish skin-tone, and dark circles below the eyes |
| Cessation of a period for three or more consecutive cycles |
| Exhaustion and Fatigue |
| Wearing loose clothing |
| Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics |
| Hair loss |
How to help your friend:
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DO'S - Increase your knowledge about eating disorders (request information packets, read books, attend seminars).
- Talk with the person about your concerns in a loving and supportive way. It is important to discuss these issues with honesty and respect.
- Talk with the person at an appropriate time and place - in private, free from distractions.
- Encourage the person to seek professional help as soon as possible. Suggest that she/he see someone who specializes in eating disorders (a physician, therapist or dietician).
- Be prepared that the person may deny that she/he has a problem. If so, and if she/he refuses to get help, it will be important to tell someone else about your concerns. If your friend is under 18, her/his parents need to know immediately.
- Listen with a nonjudgmental ear.
- Talk about things other than food, weight, and exercise.
- Be available when your friend needs someone, but remember, it is okay to set limits on what you can and cannot do.
- Hang in there! It won't be easy
DONT'S - Don't try to solve her/his problems or help with the eating disorder on your own. Get help from others.
- Don't confront your friend with a group of people, in front of a group of people.
- Don't talk about weight, food, calories, or appearance. Do not make any comments on what she/he looks like.
- Don't try to force or encourage your friend to eat. Do not get into power struggles.
- Don't let her/his peculiarities dominate you or manipulate you.
- Don't gossip about her/him to others.
- Don't be scared to talk with her/him.
- Don't expect to be the perfect friend - Reach out for support when you need it.
- Don't expect your friend to be "cured" after treatment. Recovery can be a long process.
- Don't keep this a secret for your friend. Remember, her/his life may be in danger.
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