Long term anorexia and mental health

[NonnoMum]

Not quite sure where to post about this one.
Has anyone any advice on how to get through long term anorexia and how it might affect parenting?
Friend with depression and other physical worries often alone with DC. Prone to passing out and v low moods. She might have experienced bumps in the car when blood sugar low.
Any advice on how to get help for her?

That's tricky.
Has your friend told you about the passing out and the bumps in car? If yes, then she obviously is telling confiding in you and perhaps wants to talk to you more about her illness.

It's tricky because the safety of her child is at risk if she's prone to passing out and having dizzy spells in the car whilst she's knowingly transporting her child.
I think I would try and get her open up more and try to get her some support.

If she has a partner, I think I would try to talk to him and mention the car episodes. Perhaps he could then get her to see a doctor/counsellor.

In practice this might be much harder than it sounds though.

where do you live? I have had long term ED problems and been in outpatient treatment in the UK as well as knowing lots of people with experience of inpatient, and manage my long term health via support groups in the community. If you want pointing in the right direction I may be able to help. TBH though it's up to your friend to seek help. At my worst points no-one - literally, no human being on earth, DP included (didn't have DS then though)- could have gotten through to me. So unless she is looking for help you may be bashing your head against a brick wall. If you need a sympathetic ear though, feel free to get in touch.

at least try to persuade her to get her urea/electrolytes checked - if she purges she could be or become hypokalemic. don't think this is such a problem for purely restricting types

antidepressants often have a role, not just because depression usually goes hand in hand with disordered eating. not sure which ones are 'best' for those problems, my daughter was on fluoxetine but she was under 18, an inpatient and there are restrictions for young people

I always think the best advice is just to be a friend, find ways to enjoy time together and not talk about the food thing at all but rather to inch towards discussing feelings in very general terms

you could also attend BEAT meetings in capacity of friend who cares about someone who is struggling with food, they will have information and advice. they also have a helpline and online discussion board.

good luck and hope your friend can find a way towards recovery soon

Thank you very much for your replies everyone. REally appreciate the collective wisdom on MN on such a complicated matter.