TEEN QUESTION/PROBLEM:
I have a very close friend who I think is struggling with anorexia. She's stopped eating her lunch, and whenever she goes out with us, she never eats or anything. She's lost a *lot* of weight and is incredibly thin. She had an anorexia scare last year, so a few of us called her mom and told her about it. Her mom barely believed us! My friend also cuts herself, and when I talked to her about this, she said that she alternates between cutting and not eating. "It's something that I can't control" Her parents aren't worried about her cutting, and she barely spends anytime with them. How can I help her out?

TEEN LINE WROTE:
Hey thanks for contacting TEEN LINE. I see that you care so much about your friend. I am worried that this could potentially turn into something really dangerous if she continues to act the way she does. It is great that you are already there for her, because it seems like that is really what she needs right now. Maybe there is something painful going on in her life that is causing her to cut and starve herself. I am going to give you referalls for a self injury and eating disorder hotline that might be able to help her. The website for self injury information is www.self-injury.net and the number the National Eating Disorder Association is 800-931-2237. I can imagine how difficult this must be for you... watching your friend go through all of this. I encourage you to talk to someone about this just to help you get through it as well. Maybe a school counselor or a trusted adult. If you ever want to talk feel free to call us. We are open from 6 to 10 Pacific Standard Time and our number is 310 855 4673.

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