I don't know how to do this

[Dusty1234]

Hi, does anybody out there have an eating disorder or helped someone who does? I am very worried about my sister. I've known she's had a problem for a long time, but now it seems worse. I don't know the best way or any way to help her. I have approached her before and she'll say she's fine. I know she eats one meal a day, because her husband cooks for her and stays until she's done. It's not punitive, just part of her life. The rest of the time she lives on coffee, diet Pepsi, and cigarettes. Now she seems to be sick all the time including vomiting. She gain back 5 lbs. but lost it again quickly a week later. I don't know if it's the eating disorder or something else, but she refuses to see a Dr. I feel so helpless. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you

[Agora1]

Hi Dusty, I have an adult daughter who has been anorexic for quite a number ofyears now (since her teens) She eats one meal a day and that meal is picked apart

in small bits. She takes laxatives every day as well as a water pill bef. bed.

If she should gain a pound or two, she avoids eating the next day.

She refuses help and even when in critical position and taken by ambulance

to hospital, she has literally escaped and ran.

There is absolutely nothing I can do to help her and it breaks my heart.

Please take care of yourself so that you are around for your sister. xx

[lark13]

Hi Dusty, eating disorders are very tricky. It’s really hard to help someone if they are in denial that they have a problem. I highly recommend 12 step programs. Sounds like your sister would not want to go to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting—but they welcome all who suffer with various eating disorders. There are special meetings with a focus on anorexia and bulemia. It can be transformative for someone with an eating disorder to hear someone else with a similar disorder share about how they are recovering. There are also podcasts, zoom meetings and a lot of info online.

I might also suggest that you check out Al-anon meetings.

Best of luck with everything.

[Hidden]

I don’t know how to advise, just thought I’d say I have a sister that I believe is somewhat anorexic but she’s in denial. She’s thin but we are living in a society that gives compliments to those who are skinny and insults those who are more on the heavy side. I’m overweight but not severely overweight. I believe she could stand to gain at least 10 pounds. She picks at her food.

[Dusty1234]

Thanks to everybody who replied. I guess I'm not really surprised by the answers, but it's hard. That's what I really like about coming here, I feel less alone.

[Midori]

Sounds to me like Anorexia, with an option on Bulimia, if she's vomiting too.

If she won't willingly see a doctor or a Psychiatrist, she may be making herself seriously ill, and need to be taken into hospital for her own good, possibly a secure mental Hospital.

There can be several causes, like a poor body image, or people teasing her online, or something similar. This is a serious illness, which can lead to organ failure if she continues.

Cheers, Midori