How can family help sufferers with Anorexia when medical...

Yes a catch 22 type of delema. As a partner of someone who has a sister who has got liver problems from 20+ years of abusing/starving her body, one idea I had was to write to the doctor directly with all the information you wish them to know so as to help with the treatment etc, requesting [if you think it neccassary] for them not to disclose that you have written. Once they have read..... they know. I'm not in a position to do this myself but my partner is, all I can do is suggest some possible courses of action. I'm not sure on the legality of this but desperate situations sometimes require desperate measures, better than a loved one staying ill or worse.

All the very best to you and all who are effected by this most frustrating illness.

Simon

[i:6d6bf4b5a1]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:6d6bf4b5a1]

I don't agree with this letter writing business...

Ultimately, Anorexia has a great deal to do with the sufferer feeling out of control... by writing a letter or some such method, you will be taking control of the sufferers recovery, and undermining their efforts.

My girlfriend is anorexic, so I can understand your feelings of helplessness, but this is their battle, not yours. You have to let THEM fight. The best thing you can do in this situation is to support them through the recovery process... not dictate to them how it should be going.

I hope this helps.

[i:93dcdd4314]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:93dcdd4314]

im sorry but i really dont agree wit u my mum got diagnosed wit anorexia a year and a half ago, the health proffesions r hopless and now she is hittin a dangourously low weight ma family hav ignored really helpin her as she dosnt want help, as im sure ur aware thats what they do. know she addmitted shes now makin herself sick, this isnt there fight it is our fight they r not strong enough 2 fight it on there

Family must feel helpless is such a situation. I phoned the psychiatrist up regarding my sister and he would not talk to me. First I felt frustrated then felt respect for his loyality to my sister. We have to be patient and give our love in every way we can and respect the trust that is building up between the therapist and the patient. Only if the sick person initiates such a meeting it is possible to go forward I suppose. In Anorexia people feel they lost control over their live in one way or other and that is a mean of regaining control sometimes. We can develop our sensitivity, listen to their wants and needs and be there for them and not be there when they want their privacy. Talking with the psychiatrist could be invading their privacy.

Patience, it takes time.