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Results for 01-OCT-01 to 15-OCT-01
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Last week, Alison said:
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"Recently a group of my friends has been going in to the bathroom after lunch and throwing up. I go in there with them, but I usually do not throw up. I did try it a couple of times. They focus on their weight a lot, which makes me think about my weight and how my body looks. I never was really unhappy with my body but now I am starting to focus on my body and weight and not feeling very good about myself. I know what is going on is not healthy for me but I am not sure what to do." |
Do you need advice on an issue? Other SmartGirls can help! Submit your issue to SmartGirl. |
101 SmartGirls replied:
| 0% |
Just give yourself some time to figure things out on your own. No one really
needs to know you are having a problem. |
| 10% |
Talk to your friends and tell them to stop throwing up. This is not very serious
and if you try to talk to an adult they will not understand. Friends are the best resource because they
are your age and they relate to you better. |
| 55% |
Take the first step and talk to an adult that you trust about what is going on
with you and your friends. Discuss how you are feeling and the pressures you are experiencing related
to your weight and body. |
| 2% |
Continue doing what you are doing. Focusing on weight is part of being female
and we are all uncomfortable with are bodies. You can always look better or thinner. |
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Some SmartGirls said:
- What you've described are the first steps to an eating disorder. It is NEVER healthy to make yourself throw up. Listen to me: you're beautiful like you are. Good luck, hun!
- Tell your friends that being anorexic isn't smart or healthy. One of my friends is anorexic and she threw up her food after every meal and she finally ended up in the hospital for it. Unfortunately, she died.
- This is your life you're talking about, so it is very important. If you were happy with your body before, maybe you have chosen the wrong friends. Your friends sound like they are in a pretty serious situation that could need professional help. Maybe you could take the first step by showing this to them.
- Throwing up after eating is serious and the best thing you can do for your friends is to tell an adult what is going on. Also, look around and decide if these are the kind of people you want to hang around with since they seem to be taking away your self confidence.
- Try and tell your friends that they look fine as they are. Tell someone you can trust about your worries. Don't forget to be there for them. They're going through a rough patch and need help. I recommend that you speak with someone from a crisis line, like Childline at 0800 1111.
Thanks to all of you that gave your advice! Please give your advice for this week's issue.
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The advice represented on this page is the opinion of SmartGirl users who have responded to last week's Issue of the Week. It is not the opinion of SmartGirl.org or the University of Michigan.
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