Dear Teentalker,
I appreciate your concern about your friend and from what you’ve described; it’s quite likely that your friend is suffering from a problem which has stemmed from a serious body image/emotional issue.
However, let’s understand how this happens. It could be rooted in major life transitional phases, stressful life events or trauma. Also in a culture obsessed with good looks and size zero, many people take extreme measures to fit in which has a deep behavioural, physical and psychological impact. In this case the person doesn’t have a healthy coping strategy and develops an unhealthy.....
Dear Teentalker,
I appreciate your concern about your friend and from what you’ve described; it’s quite likely that your friend is suffering from a problem which has stemmed from a serious body image/emotional issue.
However, let’s understand how this happens. It could be rooted in major life transitional phases, stressful life events or trauma. Also in a culture obsessed with good looks and size zero, many people take extreme measures to fit in which has a deep behavioural, physical and psychological impact. In this case the person doesn’t have a healthy coping strategy and develops an unhealthy emotional relationship with food interfering with their overall well-being!
Eating disorders can be complicated and an early intervention is essential. A thorough evaluation is required to diagnose it. However, here some signs and symptoms.
- Preoccupation with food(constantly on some diet/counting calories/fasting/skipping meals or overeating)
- Excessive worry with body image, shape/weight and/or size
- Fainting / fatigue
- Excessive exercising
- Disturbed/irregular period (in girls)
- Hiding food
- Frequent visits to the washroom(laxative usage or vomiting)
How to help your friend
Here are some active steps you can take:
- Talk to her in private and show your support by listening
- Collect helpful information from reliable sources that can help her debunk her idea of a perfect/ideal body
- Get support from a counsellor or a trusted adult
Let’s look at how you can implement these:
Talking is the first step to help your friend, but I understand she hasn’t been too receptive in the past. That’s her trying to push you away. Sometimes people are unable to accept that they have a problem so do not take it personally. In the meanwhile collect information from reliable sources and share it with your friend without being judgmental. Remind her you are always there no matter what, that reassurance will help her.Do not expect her to suddenly identify with it. She will need time to process and accept it.
If she opens up, ask her how you can be of help. Ask her to focus on her inner strengths and qualities. Hope this helps, if you have any other query do connect online for chat between 11am-8pm or drop us an offline message.
Regards,
Expert Teentalk India
