Expert: Leigh-Anne Persing, PA-C - 1/24/2007

Question
If someone you know bing eats and then goes to induce vomiting, how do you or do you at all approach that person about her eating disorder.  She is a co-worker and has a 2 year old and wants to have another child.  I believe her husband is very controlling of her weight.  She is a very slim tall female.  What should I do?????  It is very sad...

Answer
There really is no easy answer for if and how you should approach a friend whom you think has an eating disorder. A lot of it depends on how your relationship is with her. Are you usually very open with her... talk about personal things. Perhaps you should just gently state that you are concerned about her and her health... ask her if there is anything she wants to share or needs help with.