Need some help here....

flowerchild · Jan 8, 2003

Counciling STAT. Have you Sis make an appointment with her doc to get the ball rolling. This lovely teen is on the road toward severe anorexia imo, and needs intervention now. The sooner the better. Do not wait! Her low self esteem could be r/t any number of things including depression. At 108 lbs and 5'2" I would say she is probably not severly under weight but she does have a problem. I hope everything works out for your family.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 8, 2003

Anorexia nervosa...not eating

Bulimia...the vomiting self induced.

It is likely to more than just one person (you) can handle. You are indeed a kind and caring friend to her.

Look at this site.

http://www.anad.org/information.htm

2banurse · Jan 8, 2003

This is really serious, and your niece needs to get help now. Of course you know that...actually next Monday on Lifetime they are having a movie about just this subject. Watch it with her, or make sure your sister watches it with her and then talk with her after. There is such a distorted view nowadays and young girls like our niece are killing themselves because of it.

She needs to get help now. Passing out is a sign that cannot be ignored.

I wish you all the best...

Kris

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2003

Time to go to the doctor ASAP!!!

colleen10 · Jan 8, 2003

As someone with first hand knoweldge of eating disorders via watching my roommate battle anorexia and then bulemia your neice needs counseling immediately.

ASAP she needs to get to either her family practioner for referral to counseling services or if you know of any specialists in your area make an appt.

Hate to say it but what you have described so far - 15 year old, changing body/puberty, SE issues and the need to please everyone is almost textbook.

Check out some national websites on Anorexia to familiarize yourself with the disease and how you and your family can support your neice. Also, familiarize yourself with Bulemia too. She is definately Anorexic at this point but I have seen many people battle Anorexia by becoming Bulemic once they begin treatment.

The fact that she has opened up to you and confided in you is a good sign and must say a lot about you and the closeness of your family.

She needs professional counseling, a specialist in the area of eating disorders. I wouldn't think that 108 at 5'2 is severely under weight but I would also think that a physical is in order to make sure she is not in any serious physical danger at this moment.

I wish you and your family the best outcome possible. Eating Disorders lare a life long battle but early intervention can really help her make a full recovery.

montroyal · Jan 8, 2003

I hope I don't get flamed too bad for this. What is wrong with a female being 5'2" and 108 lbs? I understand she needs help with the self esteem issues and with nutritional guidence, but to say that she is way underweight has me confused? I would hope the average 15 y/o girl who is in good health would be that weight for that height. A complete physical could answer alot of questions and may explain why she passed out. Counciling is another option, not only for your niece but also for your sister. I may have been brought up old fashion, but we ate breakfast and dinner together as a family. This was never an option. My parents ensured we ate a "proper and nutritous" diet. My parents house, my parents rules. Another thing your sister should do is have her tested for drugs. Decreased appetite, black outs, low selfesteem could all be signs of drug abuse. I don't just mean cocaine,meth, and uppers, but the OTC drugs too(dexatrim,metabolife,ect). There are alot of reasons for your neice's behavior and blackout, make sure she has a thorough evaluation of all possibilioties before she is treated for a eating disorder, that may only be a symptom of the true problem.

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 8, 2003

Montroyal I have to disagree w/your post really. Yanno, I don't mean to state the OBVIOUS, but, it's not her weight that concerns me, but the habits. IF you suspect an eating disorder, i would get her mom to get professional help ....weight has NOTHING to do with it, really. You can be 200lb and have an eating disorder (ever hear of compulsive OVEReating?)--- you can be NORMAL weight and have a disorder, (ever hear of BULIMIA?).......it's the behaviors!!!! You can't always tell from just OUTWARD appearances who is affected, you know! There is usually an underlying cause that extends WAY beyond the eating....and it begs investigation.

For some additional info from eating disorder experts;

http://www.raderprograms.com

Not a plug, but you may find some useful info there.

I wish your family the best. I hope she will make out OK! (I have extensive personal experience w/eating disorders, PM me if you wish for more help).

emily_mom · Jan 8, 2003

Originally posted by montroyal
I hope I don't get flamed too bad for this. What is wrong with a female being 5'2" and 108 lbs? I understand she needs help with the self esteem issues and with nutritional guidence, but to say that she is way underweight has me confused? I would hope the average 15 y/o girl who is in good health would be that weight for that height. A complete physical could answer alot of questions and may explain why she passed out. Counciling is another option, not only for your niece but also for your sister. I may have been brought up old fashion, but we ate breakfast and dinner together as a family. This was never an option. My parents ensured we ate a "proper and nutritous" diet. My parents house, my parents rules. Another thing your sister should do is have her tested for drugs. Decreased appetite, black outs, low selfesteem could all be signs of drug abuse. I don't just mean cocaine,meth, and uppers, but the OTC drugs too(dexatrim,metabolife,ect). There are alot of reasons for your neice's behavior and blackout, make sure she has a thorough evaluation of all possibilioties before she is treated for a eating disorder, that may only be a symptom of the true problem.

Um, she passed out and is starving herself. Would you like her to get down to 80 pounds before you think she may have a problem? Like Deb said, it's the actions, not the numbers. Obviously something is wrong. Great that your family was old fashioned, but I don't think that has anything to do with it. I was raised the same way and still managed to be bulimic. Not everyone lives the Brady Bunch. She should see her physician ASAP. This girl needs help.

Kristy

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2003

Originally posted by montroyal
I hope I don't get flamed too bad for this. What is wrong with a female being 5'2" and 108 lbs? I understand she needs help with the self esteem issues and with nutritional guidence, but to say that she is way underweight has me confused? I would hope the average 15 y/o girl who is in good health would be that weight for that height. A complete physical could answer alot of questions and may explain why she passed out. Counciling is another option, not only for your niece but also for your sister. I may have been brought up old fashion, but we ate breakfast and dinner together as a family. This was never an option. My parents ensured we ate a "proper and nutritous" diet. My parents house, my parents rules. Another thing your sister should do is have her tested for drugs. Decreased appetite, black outs, low selfesteem could all be signs of drug abuse. I don't just mean cocaine,meth, and uppers, but the OTC drugs too(dexatrim,metabolife,ect). There are alot of reasons for your neice's behavior and blackout, make sure she has a thorough evaluation of all possibilioties before she is treated for a eating disorder, that may only be a symptom of the true problem.

I have a thin friend who gets accused of having an eating disorder all the time. It infuriates her.

But I think you missed the point that the niece admits to starving herself because she doesn't like her body, etc.

But you brought up a good point about the drug abuse.

I think professional intervention is definately needed.

In today's environment people can't always meet for dinner. Plus, that still doesn't mean kids will grow up happy and healthy. I had a stay-at-home mom and we had dinner together every night and she fixed breakfast ever day.

We still grew up messed up. My brother and sister are drug addicts. So much for family values. LOL

renerian, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2003

I agree get her help soon. I am 5'5" and only weight 115. I am thin and people tell me I am way to thin. Try to get her some help.

renerian

TX Guy · Jan 8, 2003

Man, this is so serious.

My heart realy goes out to this girl.

I can only imagine the torture this poor girl is going through.

I jope she gets professional help and that everyone is realy patient with her. It could be a long haul.