RE: Concerned Friend

by Rebecca
(Kent UK)

Hello

I've just read the post from Concerned Friend and can try and help out a bit by giving the perspective from someone who has been through anorexia/bulimia and recovering. It sounds hard with your friend but what I would say is DO push her, make her face what she is doing! I understand when you say you don't want to push her away but she's on a very slippery slope! It is especially hard with grief mixed into the equation, and you 'll be telling her something she doesn't want to hear/face so or course she's not going to welcome your words. I think ED's are tip toed around to much. I would never have faced it myself had I not been forced. Its so controlling, and impossible to break on your own.

I have attached a photo of myself (not something I normally share) but this for me was a really positive time, my friend took me to Australia for 2weeks! I had left a treatment clinic after being there for 17weeks and this photo was taken a few months on. I will not post a photo of myself before as I don't see it as relevant and don't want it to be taken as thinspiration-this is sick and wrong! I'm not saying you need to jet your friend off to Aus but other interests can help after the initial work has been done, just a break from her life and habits. I didn't admit or recognize the problem until I was hospitalized. At the time this was unbearable and I found it hard to cope, but now- healthy and happy! I don't mean to make it sound easy, I still battle to stop old habits returning.

Well best of luck, sorry if I've gone on a bit. I really hope your friend can get help sooner rather then later, maybe try getting her to read some of this site- its positive and not too overwhelming. Or get her to a counselor, confronting her past grief may help her. But remember what doesn't make sense to you probably doesn't make sense to her either!

Love Becc xXx

Oh yeah and too all those silly little girls taking laxatives and appetite suppressants - get a grip, IF you do need to loose weight do it properly. Anorexia/bulimia or any ED is not a choice, its a terrifying condition that kills! Stop making yourselves ill and get a hobby.