Worried my friend has an Ed.. (possible TW!)

Possible TW! Sorry if this causes offence to anyone..

Hi my friend literally eats 400 calories a day. A few days last week all she had was 100 calories . The reason I know this is because she has lost a lot of weight as she was trying so hard to loose it. I asked her how she was loosing it. All she eats is literally a cereal in the morning and a packet of batchelors super noodles. She said she weighs herself immediately after eating and a few times during the day and if she puts on even a pound she won’t eat she’ll be extremely depressed and start crying. If she even goes over 400 calories she’ll go mad and worry she’ll gain a pound (not very often she goes over) she literally counts every single calorie! Even when me and her eat out like say McDonald’s I would eat and she would sit eating nothing. She used to adore eating chocolate it was her favourite thing and now she won’t even take a bite and even if she takes a really small bit she’ll say “ I shoudont have eaten that I’ll gain weight” I’m worried about her, when I asked her nicely why she won’t eat as she used to love eating and food she said I just wanna loose weight. I’m worried this is the start of an ED. any advice please.

Reply 1

Codior

If it's weight loss she's after, it won't happen in that fashion. Extreme calorie restriction will more often than not lead to a binge cycle. I would advise you to let her know that. Furthermore, you are a great friend coming on here for advice for her, but I must let you know eating disorders are very difficult to get someone out of. As a survivor myself, the most you can do is provide comfort and ensure she stays as healthy as possible. She must recognize the sheer unsustainability of her underconsumption.

Reply 2

PileaP

Hello
It can be really difficult for people with an eating disorder to take the first steps in getting help, it is good that you are a friend that is concerned- although the best thing they can probably do is seek help from a professional. I imagine this is difficult for you as you want to help.

The NHS website gives some other tips that you can do as a friend:

- Keep trying to include them – they may not want to go out or join in with activities, but keep trying to talk to them and ask them along, just like before. Even if they do not join in, they will still like to be asked. It will make them feel valued as a person.
- Try to build up their self-esteem – perhaps by telling them what a great person they are, and how much you appreciate having them in your life and that you're happy to support them.
- Give your time, listen to them and try not to give advice or criticise – this can be tough when you do not agree with what they say about themselves and what they eat. Remember, you do not have to know all the answers. Just making sure they know you're there for them is what's important. This is especially true when it feels like your friend or relative is rejecting your friendship, help and support.