$Unique_ID{BRK01335}
$Pretitle{Mental and Emotional Conditions}
$Title{What Can be Done to Help an Anorexic?}
$Subject{anorexia signs symptoms}
$Volume{E-23, E-26}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Can be Done to Help an Anorexic?


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QUESTION:  I don't wish to be an over possessive mother, but my daughter's
actions and condition make me very suspicious that she may be anorectic.  She
is not at all her outgoing self, and we no longer can talk to one another.
What can I do to help her?  I need your help very much.

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ANSWER:  Thanks to a media that dwells on our nation's psyche, we've become
somewhat of an educated people.  We are probably more alert to subtle
character changes in the people that live and work around us and therefore can
step forward to assist at a much earlier stage of a disease or condition than
ever before.  This can be tremendously important in conditions such as the one
you now face.  Challenged by the possibility of an eating disorder in one you
love, suspicions may lead to more precise observations, which in turn can be
the first necessary step towards decisive and appropriate actions.  Become an
aware and concerned observer of your daughter's habits and seek the answers to
these questions.  Are the amounts of food she eats much less than normal?  Has
she become suddenly secretive?  Does she spend a great deal of time in the
bathroom with the water running, possibly disguising the sounds of vomiting,
common to the bulimic?  The anorexic will starve away; the bulimic is a binge
eater, who then purges herself of her food.  Both disorders are most common in
female adolescents.
     If these signs are clear cut, gently, but firmly confront your daughter
with your suspicions.  Do not let your own anxiety affect your attitude, but
be the warm, loving mother your letter shows you to be.  Convince your
daughter that you only wish to help her, and stay away from any guilt
producing comments.  Then get your doctor on board.  Though both disorders
demand long psychological counseling, the primary consideration is the
nutritional state of the patient, something which must be dealt with at once.
So call your physician now for further guidance and assistance in following
additional avenues of support for your daughter.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
