Teen Ink

Kenrichi replied...

Strongly advise her to go to the councilor. But if she refuses you a few times then just let it go because you can't force someone to receive help, all you can do after that is be there for her when she needs you and always be there to listen to her even if that's all you can do.

EmmaTheDilemma replied...

I agree with what Kenrichi said. I have had similar concerns for one of my friends but there is not much you can do if they aren't willing to accept help.

PeaceLoveCrossCountry replied...

make sure to let her know that you really care about her. if your friendship is strong enough, she will realize that you are only looking out for her and that you are not the enemy

Sakuya replied...

Getting people to admit that they have an eating disorder can sometimes make them panic and become afraid that you will reject them. Counselors are supposed to do things but often they can't or won't. You are probably what s/he needs the most. You may want to suggest that they can tell you anything or just plain and simple create a no-judgement day at a safe place where she might tell you what is going on. The other passive thing to do may be to compliment her occassionally and remind her how wonderful of a person she is, though this can cause a relapse in the disorder. The key to anorexics is to get them to admit to themselves that they are normal as themselves they don't need to be as skinny as a airbrushed model in a magazine to prove that.

Laurpug replied...

Thank you guys so much for your advice! 

WriterHead replied...

does she act like she wants to get help or does she want to be that way???? if she wants to get help, you all should go to counseling. but if she wants to be that way, you can't help her until she wants you to help her.

Laurpug replied...

She doesn't want help and she doesn't want to listen to me either. she denies having and eating disorder and i'm not sure whether to believe her.

Sakuya replied...

The best thing to do is get an adult who will do something involved. If she has an older sibling or her parents for instance. Sometimes counselors do nothing because they have hundreds of kids to "guide"