My little sister is coming to visit me in about a week. We are going on vacation to Catalina. She posted on facebook that she has lost 8 pounds. Last time we talked about her weight she was at 100 (16 years old, 5'1 in height) low end of the spectrum but still in the 'healthy' range. She told me a few hours ago she weighs a little over 80 pounds now. I'm so worried about her. I asked her if she was eating or doing anything bad and I promised I wouldnt be mad and she said no, she was eating just like normal. People in these situations don't always tell the truth though right? Even to the people they are closest too. Are there any other things that could cause her weight loss? Is there a good way to approach this subject to someone who has an eating disorder? Am I jumping to conclusions? She is my best friend and it would kill me if something happened to her. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Update:Her statuses:
"A bus driver asked me if I ever eat food."
"I lost like eight more pounds. I don't understand. If this keeps up by the end of summer I will just collapse and be dust. Meh."
It sounds like she doesn't like that she's losing weight, but maybe it's the attention she's after like you said?
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Yes she has an eating disorder. I would say that 100lbs is probably the lowest. Work on your friendship with her but level with her when you see her. Watch her like a hawk. She is probably throwing up within a few minutes of eating. Disease or parasites could cause the weight loss but the way she is talking about it on FB is a sign that she is in control of it. If it was disease she would sound out of control somewhat.
These kids pinch theirselves and call even extra skin fat. To some degree they do like the attention of their disorder. They will deny the problem but they love the questions. They love you to notice that they lost the weight. The moment you say they have gone too far they get defensive. Call you mom before she goes back home and mention that if she doesn't get treatment now that her organs could get sick or fail. If she drops below 80 someone should think of committing her or hospitalizing her.
Yeah, it sounds like she probably does have anorexia. She is definitely too thin. Even though it'll be painful for your sister to be confronted, it sounds like you have to intervene with this situation.