Advice

For several of months now I have begun to notice increasing symptoms that my sister may have an binge eating disorder, eating large quantities of food after a period of resisting heavily calorific intake etc. So the other day i sat down and confronted her about her habits and she admitted that she knew what she was doing is a coping mechanism for a low self-esteem.

We went online and went through a list of symptoms such as feeling that your eating behaviour is out of control, eating even when you're full or not hungry... She admitted to recognising that she feels that majority of them, but when i suggested about speaking to someone about it such as a Dr she immediately shut down and went to denial.


What would you do if you were in my position would you encourage her go talk to the GP or is medical help not needed and i should not get involved?

Hi and welcome.

I think medical help is needed as these things can escalate. By the same token, she has to decide she needs and wants help on her own; you forcing her could only create resentment between you guys. Unless you feel she is in immediate danger, I would not get too involved unless you are minors, in which case I would say tell a trusted adult.

I think it is acceptable to ask how she's doing every so often, maybe let her know you'd be willing to go with her to her first appointment and wait in the waiting area, or something like that. But avoid making demands or insisting that she see a doctor or therapist, and definitely keep up normal conversation/routines so long as they are not detrimental to her. And keep in mind that, if she is in denial, most anything you say could feel like a lot of pressure to her, whether you mean it or not. She's probably overwhelmed. So, take it slow, remind her in small and not-too-frequent ways to consider getting help, and definitely check in with her every so often.

Hope this helps.