74240 - Helping a friend with an eating disorder

[TheBlackSheep]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/74240/

Oh my dear I've only taken one nutrition class. I can really, really appreciate your motivations. But you, my dear, cannot save your friend by yourself. Trying to do so is only going to drain your energy. This is enabling. You cannot solve your friend's problems with a meal plan that you are not all that equipped to write.

Be there for your friend. Listen to them. But let them know that they need treatment and refuse to step outside of your scope of practice (which is friend).

[blpsara]

100% agree with you.

I worked at an eating disorders clinic for several years, and it takes more than family/friend support.

And 500 calories a day or less isn't just disordered eating. It is an eating disorder, whether they want to call it that or not.