A young woman in Kentucky wrote to the Dear Abby advice column, asking what she should do to help her younger sister, who appears to be anorexic. "Marni," as she calls her sister, has lost a significant amount of weight and is "literally skin and bones," though she says she fine. The sister doesn't know what to do, and their mother seems oblivious to the problem.

"Dear Anxious: Marni is NOT fine.... Throwing up after meals and taking laxatives are symptoms of a severe, life-threatening eating disorder... You should tell your mother immediately what she has been doing because her life could depend on it."

Anorexia has one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness, though sufferers rarely get the treatment they need. If you suspect that a friend or family member has an eating disorder, get help right away. Source: Arizona Daily Star

Labels: advice, friends, support

Feeling she had nowhere else to turn, a young college student wrote to an advice columnist to seek help for the bulimia she's struggled with for four years. Her family has turned their backs on her, and with little money and no insurance, she doesn't know where to go for help.

"...you must be willing to get help, no matter what form it comes in. On-campus counseling is more beneficial than you realize, and even short-term assistance can help."

The advice columnist goes on to suggest that the writer contact the National Eating Disorders Association, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders, or her local church, United Way, or YMCA. Even a little help, she says, is better than no help at all. Source: The Herald Tribune - Florida

Labels: advice, support, treatment

At the time this article was posted (in 2001), Emily was 21 years old and had struggled with an eating disorder for six years. She had also been in recovery for a year.

"And after months and months of searching for that one big break through that would explain to me why I rather spend a Friday night in bed from exhaustion or over a toilet, than out with my friends, I began to realize that it is the tiniest revelations that will help you in your struggle to overcome an eating disorder."

Her simple words of experience offer advice and hope for those still battling to overcome. Read more at Something-Fishy.org.

Labels: advice, support