Worried about a friend?

Have they got an eating disorder?

• Is your friend or relative acting differently or do you feel they have changed?

• Do you have a friend who is often talking about weight and shape, saying things like;

• "I need to lose weight" or "If only I were slimmer, I would be happy"

• Perhaps you find yourself thinking ...

"My cousin only talks about food or the shape of her body. She is very critical of herself and puts herself down all the time."

"My brother tries to be perfect in every way. He worries all the time about what other people think of him."

"My friend only thinks about her weight and her body shape."

"My friend sometimes starts eating and cant stop."

"My sister has become very distant from us. She seems to keep herself away from her friends and family."

"My friend keeps disappearing into the toilet. I dont think she even knows she has a problem."

Some of these attitudes and behaviours may indicate that your friend has a problem with food or may have an eating disorder. People with an eating disorder may eat too much, eat very little, or refuse to eat. This is often because they feel unhappy, angry or distressed.