Friends nag me about anorexia?
my friends all say that i'm becoming anorexic. sometimes theyre kidding and sometimes they're not. while i'll admit that i have some of the symptoms and tendencies of an anorexic person, i am in no danger health-wise. i'm an athletic person and i'm around 5'4". the healthy weight for a person that size is 120 or 125. i weigh in at 129 approximately. keeping in mind that that is muscle weight, i'm a healthy person. however many times i explain that to my friends, they still believe that i'm trying to starve myself. as i said before, i do have some tendencies and i probably don't eat as much as i should but my friends should still be trust that i can look after my health. who do you think is at fault here? how should i deal with the constant nagging of my friends?!?! also, a note to everyone who answer: please do not say that i should try discussing the matter with them, i've already tried that and also, please don't say that i should eat more...i get enough of that already!
My friends say I'm anorexic?
I have a group of friends, they're not so skinny, well we can say that they're slightly overweight and they're obsessing with their weight and looks. On the other hand, I was quite the skinny one in the group. And my friends have been telling me that I'm anorexic since forever, when I'm not - well I think I'm not. Ever since my grandmother passed away because of cancer, and quite a lot of my family died because of cancer, my mother has been obsessing about eating the right food, like fruits and vegetables than snacks and McDonalds. So every breakfast I would have a huge mug of vegetable juice, and at lunch I would eat what my mother brought me instead of junk foods there. And also, I drink lots of water. I always make sure I'm eating healthy food and healthy, although I snack and eat chocolate every now and then. I never overeat or eat when I'm not hungry. But of course, my friends eat humongous portions while I eat 'normal' portions (I think it's normal?). My friends always tell me how I never want to eat and trying too hard to be skinny. I'm starting to feel that I am, and I'm afraid they would leave me. I have no other friends, so if they leave me, I have no one. And so I started to eat larger portions and eat junk food. My mom told me to drink juices and eat vegetables, but now I start making up excuses or not eating as much as I used to. That has been going on for almost a month, an I realize a change in my body. There are some cellulites forming, and I get chubby. My friends has stopped calling me anorexic and they look satisfied with my 'weight gaining', but I know it's not good and unhealthy. My body gets bigger and my thighs and bum are quite large. I don't like how my body is forming. I don't want my friends to leave me but I'm not enjoying to have to eat this much and sort of 'betraying' my mother. Please help me? And maybe how to get rid of these fats and cellulites a bit? They don't look good.
My friends call me anorexic!!!?
If one of your female friends thinks you are throwing up in the bathroom after lunch, invite her to go with you to see what happens. After a couple trips, they will all know what you really do there. As to the other stuff, be yourself. If you are hungry, eat. If you're not hungry, don't eat. Peers can be pains at times, that's why I myself don't really care what people think or say about me. As far as I'm concerned, there are only 2 people I have to give an account for what I do: 1. Jesus because He is the final judge of everything and; 2. My wife because I have to live with her (It has been over 29 years now.). No one else has the right to tell me about my personal life. Hang in there. When these other people see you march on without them, they will want to know who your drummer is.
How can I help my friend that's becoming anorexic?
First, I commend you for being the kind of friend who wants to help. Without additional details it’s a bit tough to answer the question. What is it that makes you think your friend may be developing anorexia? If it’s just weight loss, there could be other factors at play (like a medical condition or another psychological condition that isn’t an eating disorder). If it’s behavioral, that’s a bit more to go on.I would recommend talking to your friend, but gently. This is a tough subject (anything related to body image/body size is). I would express your concern and tell her that you love them, no matter what, and that you are there for them if they need you.If your friend is receptive and wants to talk about it, you can share some resources (I’ll link a few below). However, if your friend shuts you down, you need to respect that. It’s not easy when you want to help, but if they need help it is ultimately going to be up to them to get it.All this being said, if you and your friend are under 18, and you see truly alarming behavior in your friend, you can and probably should go to her parents. I am talking self-harming behavior, like purging, for example. You need to realize, though, that doing so might help your friend and possibly save their live if there is an ED… but it may also cost you your friendship.National Eating Disorders Association They have an online screening tool that is free and that your friend can do to see if there is reason for concern. There’s also a helpline that is free (in the US) that may give you some more insights into how you can help.http://www.something-fishy.org Another eating disorder resource that also has forums which may be helpful for both you and your friend in getting answers. This website has a lot of in-depth info and is really useful.I wish your friend the best of luck. I’ve lost people to anorexia.
What can I do to help my anorexic and depressed friend?
Good to know she’s seeing a therapist, despite what sounds like lack of progress; this shows she realizes she’s sick - that’s a big step.I’d first encourage seeing a therapist who specializes in eating disorders, assuming her current one isn’t. Progress can also depend on the amount of time she’s spent with the therapist; sometimes it takes years to crack the code. In hindsight, only a few words out of the mouths of my many therapists are what stuck with me. Strangely, one told me to “get a life” and that’s exactly what I needed to hear (but that’s just me).While therapy (or at least an active manhunt for the cause of her emotional turmoil) is essential, she should also visit a medical doctor…again, one who specializes in eating disorders…so she and her loved ones can gauge the status of her current physical health. A whole mess of horrible things happen behind the scenes when the body is forced out of balance. Her organs, brain, heart, electrolytes, bones, hormones, cells, etc. are currently reacting to starvation, which puts the body in an emergency status that can eventually result in death.As well, if affordable, she can work with a dietitian…one who specializes in eating disorders. This may help teach her an unoffensive approach to eating and one that most people would consider difficult to adhere to, simply because it’s a healthier way to eat. I would caution, however, that accountability is typically involved, which could mean counting calories, and I’m not in favor of anyone with an eating disorder counting calories; ever.I emphasize a team who specializes in eating disorders, because too many things are overlooked by those who don’t know what to look for. They’ll know how to built an effective network of help, where they tackle all sides, simultaneously. I was sent away with a perfect bill of health by at least 6 regular doctors who knew nothing about anorexia; when in fact, my body was shutting down.Lastly, but equally as critical is love and support. She may resist support, but it’s exactly what she needs. She needs to be shown and told, repeatedly, how loved and cherished she is. Even if her reactions display the opposite, there’s nothing like mending with love. Overlook any fits of anger, should they occur, and know that she’s releasing what’s been locked away for far too long. Anorexia is a result of what’s ailing her.What a truly beautiful friend you are. Never give up.
My friend just told me she's anorexic. What do I do?
Anorexia is tricky. There is probably nothing you can do other than to reassure her, when she starts to gain weight, that she does not look fat. You feel skinny on the way down, but gaining even half a pound going up it's distressing.To personalize this: I'm 5'7". The heaviest I have ever been in my life was the completely normal weight of 125 pounds. I started swimming one summer to lose a few pounds before starting 11th grade (say June of the year). By the start of school in September, I was down to 99. I felt great disposing of this body. I felt like a head floating around. Unfortunately by December I was 78 pounds, unbeknownst to my parents. I had to confess to them and tried to kill myself. I was immediately hospitalized. It took me a month to get to 83 pounds- THAT is when I felt fat... on the way up, not down. Going down, 83 way definitely really thin.There is some evidence environmental toxins (literally fertilizer, weed killer, etc.) Can cause this, or at least cause it to become so overblown.Edited to add: I recovered quite a bit when I left home and went to university. However, I will never be a "normal" weight- I can't let myself. I am around 113-115 pounds. The absolute bare minimum before I start to blackout when I stand up and lose the ability to bear children (which I have considered a form of birth control). I also can't eat oily food and am mostly vegan (I was before I became sick though). I can eat limited quantities of normal food (a cookie or some chips and guac, for example) to seem normal to other people. I still prefer to eat alone.
I suspect my friend has anorexia, what should I do?
It’ll be important to come at this through an encouraging non-judgmental way. Without mentioning his weight or appearance, state the behaviours you’ve noticed. For validity, it will help to say these are things you’ve seen in other males with anorexia or you’ve read stuff about EDs and you’re concerned. (Read a few of my eating disorder answers and you can use me as an example). Be sure you’re speaking in terms of his well-being, maybe bring attention to things you’ve noticed that affect your friendship, like if he stays at home more often, doesn’t want to go out to eat, etc.Once you’ve given this information it’s really up to him to do what he want’s with it.You may get shut down, or he could say, Oh I didn’t think anyone noticed.If he’s accepting, then ask him to speak with a parent or counselor, and be sure to follow-up or even offer to go with for support. If he denies there is a problem, well, there’s not much you can do except wait for it to get worse and once there’s actionable evidence, like he passes out when standing up or begins complaining of chest pain. Then, it’s time to visit with his parents or the school counselor.Once its handed off to professionals, go back to being friends.
My friends say I'm anorexic, but I don't think I am. I usually eat only 1 meal a day, because I never feel hungry. How do I know if I am anorexic or am on the way to anorexia?
It is important to understand that “anorexia” is not just this thing that happens to girls who starve themselves.Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that happens to people, and includes intentionally eating very little, and usually exercising, and results in health impairments that can literally lead to death. It has a mental illness component.Anorexia and Weight Loss that is not anorexia nervosa can be caused by a medical problem that results in a person feeling a general loss of appetite. It is entirely possible (probably, even) for a person who has medically caused anorexia to not have any mental health problem.If you regularly do not have enough appetite to keep your body weight up to a healthy level, that is a serious medical problem.It is common for some people who like looking skinny to accept their lack of appetite, because they like the outcome.Unfortunately, the kinds of medical problems that lead to long-term loss of appetite are often really bad ones. Like cancer.Your friends know what you should look like, and they are telling you they see you as anorexic, that is not enough to decide that you are. But you say you don’t have much appetite, only enough to eat one meal a day. That symptom, along with your friends concerns about your low weight, are enough to tell you to speak to a doctor about your problem.Low appetite and losing weight without trying, is definitely a medical problem that requires a full medical exam.And, if you realize you are still trying to lose weight, because you like being too skinny, that suggests the possibility of anorexia nervosa. Thinking you still want to lose weight when your friends are begging you to gain weight, means you already have a problem. Not “on the way to” having a problem.Anorexia or anorexia nervosa, either way, go see a doctor. And if you read all this, and still think you don’t want to see a doctor about it? That would be a third sign that you are having a problem. Mentally healthy people do not avoid getting medical help when they need it.
What do other anorexics consume in a day?
There's no one set of food items that anorexic people eat.I know when I was anorexic, I survived off of donuts and yogurt. Donuts? How can that be?I just wouldn't eat anything else all day. 3 donuts was 900 calories, at the most.I'd bring little bags of raw cabbage and broccoli to school for lunch. Breakfast would be nothing, if I could get away with it, or otherwise a bowl of Greek yogurt with honey or oatmeal with a tablespoon of maple syrup.I'd say things like, “I'm really craving half a grapefruit” when it was time for dinner.I'd make little plans. I'll only drink one cup of kombucha tea all day and go on a bike ride. Imagine the shame I felt after eating several tablespoons of peanut butter that day on top of the kombucha. I bonked during my ride. I'd eaten too much, and I'd failed.Sometimes I would feel so weak and faint that I would have to eat, against better judgement. I knew I wasn't going to be able to make the bike ride home from school, and I begged my friends for food. My friend Cassie had an apple. An apple. Low in calories. I bit into that apple, and it tasted like water and chemicals, a shallow sweetness. It wasn't good. But to me it was monumental. Cassie's apple, I kept saying to myself. Cassie's apple saved my life.One time for breakfast I ate tomatoes because they were growing in the garden. Then I drank a cup of milk for calcium. Then I rode my bike to school. I learned an important lesson: tomatoes and milk do not mix well.Another time I'd gotten back from a hike and it was time for dinner. It was around Thanksgiving. I had a slice of pie the width of my little finger. That was my dinner and my dessert.I ate a lot of different things when I was anorexic. It didn't really matter what I ate though. The point was the calories. If the calories worked for my self imposed energy budget, all was good. I felt like shit though. I'd eat tortilla chips, ice cream, junk food. But very small amounts at weird times of the day. It was shitty. Sometimes I'd be so hungry that I'd wake up in the middle of the night and eat the granola bar and carrot sticks I'd planned for lunch the day before.