advice for tomorrow

[ladysoandso]

Im asking here before work tomorrow as I wont have time to call a helpline for advice.

I own a business and have a 22 year old girl, E, working for me. She is painfully thin and I know in the past she has had serious problems (a spell in hospital) for eating concerns. We talk a lot about food and she tells me that I have (gently) persuaded her to give up the vast quantities of sweets she was eating although I thought it was more to do with the emergency dental hospital that did it. Two things - another employee told me yesterday that they feasted on biscuits, chocolate and doughnuts the day i wasn't in last week and also she had a pain in her stomach for 2 days and when I googled the symptoms I thought it was due to starvation. She sort of admitted it was and I got angry for the first time and the reaction from her scared me. She was grinning, laughing, giggling, almost euphoric that it had got a reaction out of me. Now I haven't a clue how to handle this and i will seek professional advice but any suggestions on how to handle it tomorrow? Food is a bit topic of conversation.

[ChocolateAlmondMilk]

The feast could have been a binge or something. But do you actually know she's got an ed? If so maybe contact BEAT ed charity? But i wouldn't unless you know she's doesn't just have a thyroid condition or something.

[ladysoandso]

thanks. She deffo has an ED - she has been hospitalised in the past for it. She admits it. I tried 3 charities today but none answered. Will try Beat again tomorrow.

[Gen35]

Much as it's lovely you want to help, you should also consider your position as an employer and get advice on suspecting someone you work for has mh issues - does it affect her ability to do her job? It's tricky as you obviously care but you also need to make sure you don't get sued. Do you know her family at all? Wondering if an informal word is required but I'd get advice first about not opening yourself up for legal problems and I say this as someone who's obviously had an eating disorder so I do sympathise about the young person concerned.

[Portlypenguin]

I would speak to beat and also any emergency contacts you have for family etc. Its not like it will be a big surprise to them. Perhaps speak to your employee and say you are concerned and wiuld like to help. She may be pissed off initially but it will help start the thinking process.

Nb. I am a recovering sufferer from anorexia and a psychiatrist!