Obviously, I'm asking for a friend.

She has pretty strong reason to believe her coworker is bulimic. She feels awful knowing that and not saying anything if someone's health is at stake.

Should she approach the coworker, or anyone else for that matter? Or just offer her a cheeseburger? I have no idea what advice to give.

I guess this is not really a poll.

[Edited on March 17, 2016 at 1:56 PM. Reason : sss]

3/17/2016 1:54:34 PM

PM sent

sister was bulimic, close friend in HS was anorexic and passed away, and a coworker/friend of mine also struggles with anorexia, but even all that doesn't mean I know what your friend is going through, but I'll be happy to bounce ideas around.

3/17/2016 3:00:17 PM

Can you post the ideas here?

3/17/2016 5:31:30 PM

well step 1: determine if you like this person enough to put time and invest emotional energy into them, because this is no quick fix (and don't take this lightly) This is likely to take years to get the kind of 'fix' you would hope to see in someone starving themselves of nutrients

step 2: establish friendship (bond over anything that doesn't involve food), if you are already friends then you can proceed

step 3: ask to speak with them privately, ideally not at their place of work (but I have gotten my coworker to at least talk to me about this stuff while we are at work over lunch or somewhere privately)

Explain to them that you care about them and that you have noticed x,y,z about their eating habits and show concern and ask them if they are doing ok and if they want to talk about it


the rest gets more complex and details unfold and even this is a little too one size fits all, but this is a general starting place. did I mention this takes time, patience, and willingness to let them slip up without being upset with them?


NEVER try to force food onto them, it will backfire



[Edited on March 17, 2016 at 5:55 PM. Reason : I can spell]

3/17/2016 5:47:50 PM

leave other folks the hell alone, especially coworkers.

3/17/2016 6:19:52 PM

I understand that point of view too, but I see it differently.

When I had a problem that I felt like was taking over my life, what I wanted most was someone, ANYONE to ask if I was ok or needed help. That's what it took for me to get up and help myself. I just don't like hearing about someone struggle and wondering if that's what they're waiting for to help themselves.

3/18/2016 8:03:40 AM

but is she hot doe?

3/18/2016 8:47:03 AM

Quote :

"leave other folks the hell alone, especially coworkers. "

which is what I would recommend if you don't know them or care about them enough, but when you do care about someone it's not as easy as ignoring it.

I could never just sit and watch my sister destroy herself and with that experience I become sensitive to that problem, and it's hard to ignore, unless you don't care if they die or not

3/18/2016 9:27:55 AM