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QUESTION: Dear Shannon, I heard you speak some time ago and tucked your card away in case we ever needed it. Well, a neighbor and friend seems to have a problem and none of us knows what to do. She has lost 50 lbs. recently. Some friends have talked to her, and she seems to know she has a problem, but is still loosing weight. We think she has anorexia, but don't know how to address her about it. She may also have some depression from losing her father a few years ago, and worrying about her mother all the time. She is a worrier anyway. Can you give us some suggestions on how we could get her to talk to you or someone else that could help? Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi - Well, these days (unfortunately) I always tell people that if it looks like, talks like, walks like and acts like an eating disorder, it probably is. However, the most important thing is to get your friend to a medical doctor for a thorough physical evaluation to rule out any other issue that may be contributing. You can find treatment resources at this link. You might also want to read over the information at this link from my website which describes in more detail the triggers, personality type, warning signs and impact eating disorders have. The link includes suggestions for how to, with kindness and compassion, talk to someone you are worried about. The section is titled 'How to Help...' Ultimately, her own family and/or spouse bear the burden of deciding whether intervention is necessary - sometimes interventions (which either clinic above can help you with) can effect change where simple concern cannot. I have seen several girls and women come through treatment, at first with unwillingness and anger, and then later with growing understanding that life doesn't have to be so painful and scary and treatment can help. There is no easy answer to what your friend is dealing with. But the first step is determining what is really going on, and the best place to start is with a medical and then a psychological evaluation. I hope this helps. Shannon Do you have a related question you would like to submit for future editions of Good News? Would you like to send a message of encouragement and support to the person who asked this question? (NOTE: all messages of support will be received and published anonymously in future editions of Good News) If you would like to submit a question or send a message of support please send it to Shannon c/o Good News HERE
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