It is difficult when your friend or your child's friend is suffering from an eating disorder. We are taught from early childhood to keep our friends' secrets, share their burdens and to be their confidant. When your friend is suffering from an eating disorder it is a difficult and stressful situation. It is a disease that can rob your friend of a life with you and their family.
If you believe that your friend is suffering from an eating disorder, please contact Lifelines Foundation or someone you trust for professional resources to help you cope with this disease. It is important that you understand that you are not doing your friend a favor by "keeping their secret" by "not telling my mother or father" — you are only adding to the delay of getting treatment for their disease. It is better to lose a friend for a short time than to loose a friend forever, and this disease can do that.
As a parent, if your child comes to you with the concerns regarding a friend, please don't be swallowed into the trap of keeping the "secret" from their parent. It is risky to confront a parent with information from your child about their child, but even though it might be met with anger or resentment, it will plant a seed of concern. Whether the parents acknowledge your concerns, you have acted in the best interest of the child, and your responsibility to your own child.
You must have frank and honest talks with your
own child about the deadly affects of this disease due to peer pressure. If you
would like printed material, a list of educational reading
materials or a support link for the family of your child's friend please
contact Lifelines Foundation at
It is important that you are supportive of your child's feelings for their friend. This disease does not only affect the person suffering; it will have an important impact on your child's emotional health being as well.
