underweight

[Swizz]

my sister is 19

about 5"6

36 kg / 80 lbs

do you not think this is hospitalising weight?

her BMI is 12.9 (anything under 18 is considered underweight)

is it worth seeing the doctor, again? and asking how much lower she has to get until she is taken into care

im just really worried about her

thanks

[loopyc]

hi swiss does your sister suffer from anorexia? her weight does seem very low is she willing to go to the docs?

[Swizz]

yes. sorry. i completely forgot to mention the most important bit! she is anorexic. and we have sought help. but nothing really seems to work. & the doctors dont seem willing to do much

[loopyc]

www.eatingdisorderscentre.co.uk try this site. no wonder you are so worried if you can get her to the doctors tell them what you want them to do for your sister maybe you could you get your mum or dad to go with you sometimes you have to be pushy with the doctors to get what you need. has she seen counsellors etc?

[Swizz]

yeh. its been going on for about 4 years now

shes seen counsellors

nutritionists

doctors

tried hypnotherapy

im just worried shes getting too low and body is suffering badly

but doctors dont seem to want to give help unless she gets even lower

[loopyc]

thats awful can you change doctors or see a different doc at same practice? it seems like you have tried everything can i ask does your sister no she has a problem? does she want to get better?

[loopyc]

where abouts are you swiss?

[Swizz]

she knows she has a very serious problem

but the number of times we've been told by her 'i really want to get better, i'm trying'

and then the next week she says she was lying about her eating. then says 'ill try harder. i want to get better'

its just been going on for so long im worried her body will start to get badly affected

apparently anorexics are good at staying at a very low weight, but not low enough for doctors/hospitals to be signifigantly worried

i suppose all we can do it help her. & try and get her to eat a bit more.. (easier said than done)

thank you for your help. hopefully it will all be ok!

i think i just wanted to someone to let off a bit of steam to. thank you!

(im in bristol)

[loopyc]

sorry i couldnt be much help she is lucky that she has a sister like you to care for her but you also have to look after yourself your sister needs you so try not to get to stressed (easier said than done i know). i ever you need a chat or to let of steam you can always email me [email protected] xx

[Swizz]

aw thank you very much

you have been helpful! :)

[sexyrussian]

I have suffered ferom an eating disorder in the past but am alright now.There is no point going to the Doctor because if your sister cannot see she has anorexia or does not want to help herself seeing a doctor will be no help at all.You need to concentrate on getting her to see she has a problem and incouraging her to seek help.You can't do anything if she won't help herself.

[sexyrussian]

Just to say her BMI is not at a level that could kill her but the problem is anorexics tend to lose more and more weight until they do die.

[msemma]

I'm a recovered anorexic, and my lowest weight was less than your sister's and I'm also taller. I'm not giving dimensions, because it's part of the problem. I was not hospitalised, but I was treated as an out patient. From what I've seen and studied, hospitalisation is one of the worst paths to follow, and treatment should be based on cognitive therapy instead. I strongly believe I wouldn't be here today if I had been hospitalised. That's my personal take on the subject - you may feel hospitalising your sister is the only option, but be prepared for her coming back out, starting all over again and ending up worse than before. Has she seen a psychologist and a psychiatrist? In my experience, the psychiatrist wasn't much use - more just a link between my gp and the psychology unit at my hospital, but the psychologist was brilliant. If her gp suggests seeing a psychiatrist don't shy away from it as a stigma, it may be the only way top get really good help. It takes a very strong mind to have anorexia.