![]() |
Forum Posting Policy | Forum Codes | Our Advertisers | Sales & Announcements | Member Groups | P'insane Leaderboard | Contact Admin
Friend with possible eating disorder? |
Post Reply
|
| Author | |
newmomto2
P'infatuated
Perennial Pinner 2 years 64 days Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 769 |
Quote Reply
Topic: Friend with possible eating disorder?Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 2:48pm |
|
I think a friend of mine may have an eating disorder. She was never
overweight, per se, maybe just a little tiny extra weight around the
middle. Well, awhile back she lost some weight, and I really didn't
think much of it, but now I'm starting to wonder if she may have a
problem.
She isn't to the point of looking sick, but she is definitely looking too thin, IMO. Now, I say IMO, because maybe I'm wrong? I'm thin myself (when not pregnant), but to me, to be purposely keeping yourself probably somewhere between 105 and 110 pounds (she's prob about 5'4" or 5'5") with somewhat severe caloric restriction is a little overboard. She counts all her calories and I think she keeps between 1000-1200 calories. She often vetoes lunch places when we go out because she wants one particular place that has a very low calorie dish (she checks the restaurants' websites before we go). She is very judgmental of overweight people too as of late, sometimes being very vocal and rude about a passerby's weight. This is to the point where I am embarrassed to be with her, and worried that someone will overhear her and start an altercation. She has also told me that pregnant women get so fat and that she would now prefer a surrogate (she's been TTC for some time now) just so she wouldn't "get fat". It's hard to approach her, because she just thinks people are "jealous" of her because they are not as thin as her. She would likely think the same of me. She has often said comments about my post-baby body that were not directly mean, which is why I've never confronted her about them, but could definitely be hurtful. I don't know whether I should leave it alone, or whether I should let her know that I'm worried about her and hope she doesn't jump on the defensive? |
|
![]() |
|
erinchelsea
P'incredible
Member Rating(12) ![]() Yearlong Pinner 1 year 229 days Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 4733 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 10:02pm |
|
I'm sorry she said such hurtful things to you. I wonder if she's feeling bad about not being able to get pregnant and is making herself feel better by criticizing pregnant women and her other comments. I guess I would probably tell her you are worried about her but it would be hard to do that if she already has a chip on her shoulder. Not an easy situation for sure! Good luck!
|
|
|
Married to Jason 7-21-07
Our baby boy Abram Michael arrived 3-30-09 |
|
![]() |
|
isaakspacifier
P'insightful
Member Rating(4) ![]() Perennial Pinner 2 years 254 days Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 2773 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 10:17pm |
|
Sounds like my SIL who was what I call "controlled thin". It is a problems on many different levels and usually is caused my something completely unrelated to food.
Sadly by being too thin she can make it very difficult to conceive. With women the lower your body fat you'll end up missing periods as your body knows it can't sustain another being, plus hormonal craziness. I was always very thing 5'10 and 120lbs but I ate like the dickens...so she would compare herself to me. Nutritionally it's not the same and that is hard for people to see. My SIL has now given up her control diet and is getting quit hefty as she takes her issues out on something else. I did mention to her that she didn't look good after going Vegan(this was the height of her control issues) but I think I was the only person in the family that could get away with saying that to her because I was thin, so I think you have a good chance at opening her eyes in my opinion. Good luck! |
|
|
Was the Human Pacifier and Bottle to Isaak Richard from 1/17/07 to 10/22/08. He passed the torch to his sister Norah Riley on 7/11/09. Wife and partner to Michael 3/25/06
|
|
![]() |
|
gotlucy
P'integral
Member Rating(19) ![]() P'insane ![]() Yearlong Pinner 1 year 76 days Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 8492 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 11:53pm |
|
well, i can tell you that the normal caloric intake of a lady, esp one that's average height and underweight already, should be 12-1500 for someone NEEDING a diet, and more like 1700 to maintain weight. so yeh, she does seem obsessive.
honestly...i'm not sure how much or what you can do. she probably wouldn't listen to you, i don't want to be discouraging, but someone with a particular body image is gonna have that no matter what.
maybe you could ask her if she gets regular checkups, that's a perfectly normal question, and if she's underweight her doctor should notice.
|
|
|
FSOT CD+waterbirth lover, natural birth supporter
|
|
![]() |
|
minneapolismama
P'incredible
Member Rating(7) ![]() Perennial Pinner 2 years 192 days Joined: 13 May 2007 Location: United States Posts: 6994 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 03 Nov 2009 at 9:14am |
|
if she is restricting calories like that and obsesses over calories so much that she checks all restaurants before going, she has a problem. i would bet her difficulty ttc is weight related if she is even getting her period (which will eventually stop if it hasn't already).
approaching her would be very hard and i think you're right about her getting defensive and upset, but as a friend who is concerned i can see how hard it is for you to watch a friend do that to herself. i would say something but not be surprised if it backfires. she will need to realize what she is doing to herself before she changes and it doesn't sound like she is there yet. sorry she is being rude to you, i know some super thin people who are always calling people "fatties" and talking about other's weight. i cannot stand it! it's always people who are weight obsessed who do it and sometimes i wonder if THEY are jealous that those normal to overweight people seem so happy and carefree and don't live their lives based around calorie counting! |
|
|
Katie, momma to Alexander (2-8-07)
|
|
![]() |
|
SEMama
P'incredible
Member Rating(26) ![]() Yearlong Pinner 1 year 175 days Joined: 29 May 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 6226 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 03 Nov 2009 at 10:46am |
Definately all this.
A person doesn't have to be deathly thin and sickly to have an eating disorder. Anytime someone is that obsessive about weight and restricting calories, and is a healthy weight or below, there is definately a problem.
First off, DO NOT TAKE HER COMMENTS TO HEART. All of that loathing she expresses for others? It's just her verbalizing her thoughts about herself. Eating disorders stem from control issues. She probably has alot going on in her life that she doesn't feel like she has any control over and her defensive response to it, is to control her food. It can develop into a very ugly disease, filled with depression and self-loathing.
Honestly, I don't know what the answer is b/c anything rational won't work. You can't reason with her b/c your voice will never be as powerful as the eating disorder. And, if she feels like you are judging her or telling her what to do, she may completely cut you out.
If you really care about her and want to help, you may have to be a little sneaky. Do little things to show her that she is of value, help her to see herself as a strong and capable woman (but not in an obvious way). If she realizes that you are trying to "help", she may fight it with everything she has.
It is a tricky situation. She definately needs help but it will be so hard for her to accept it.
((((hugs)))) to you.
|
|
|
Sara, WAHM to DS (1.06) and DD(8.07) and a sneaky one 6.10
Getting in the Christmas Spirit Peach Blossom Baby |
|
![]() |
|
newmomto2
P'infatuated
Perennial Pinner 2 years 64 days Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 769 |
Quote Reply
Posted: 03 Nov 2009 at 3:56pm |
|
I really don't take offense too often to what she says, unless I'm just having a bad self-esteem day for some reason. Like I said, I'm generally thin myself, just now that I'm pregnant of course I'm gaining weight. And regardless of any sneaky "I didn't mean anything by it!" comments she has made, for having twins I'm really usually pretty satisfied with my appearance. (Although I don't like someone trying to make me doubt myself).
This is more just concern for her health and embarrassment over her (loudly-voiced) public criticisms of strangers. I mean, in the summer I actually was afraid to go to the beach with her sometimes because I was sure one of these days, someone would confront her for one of her comments. I know that at this weight, ttc could be hard. But she has been ttc for many years before losing the weight, so I don't think this is really the issue. I know it doesn't help, but she is kinda at the point that she is giving up anyway. (And like she said, she wants a surrogate now anyway so she doesn't get "fat"). I'm just worried about what's going on with her. She doesn't seem very happy lately. I sometimes feel that maybe she isn't as happy in her marriage as she used to be and maybe her depression is manifesting this way? She's very private, so while I feel like I wish I could say or do something to help, I doubt she'd open up to me. |
|
![]() |
|
Post Reply
|
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions ![]() You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
Powered by BuzzShops.
Copyright © 2000-2008, Diaper Pin. All Rights Reserved.