Dear Cindy – I Think My Coworker Has an Eating Disorder

I am worried about one of my coworkers. "Susan" lost a lot of weight last year – she used to be quite heavy – and I think she may be taking it too far. I never see her eat anymore. She doesn't take a lunch break, or if she does take her break, she doesn't go to the lunchroom. Susan was looking really fit for a while, but she's starting to look very thin and pale. She doesn't have the energy she used to, and just walking down the hall wears her out. I think Susan may have an eating disorder, but how do I address it?

Sincerely,

Concerned

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, as many as 10 million American females and one million American males have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, and about 25 million more have a binge eating disorder. Meanwhile, a 2005 Canadian Psychological Association fact sheet estimated that bulimia occurs in 1% to 8% of Canadians (which amounts to about 320,000-2.56 million people), and anorexia in 0.4% to 1% of Canadians (which amounts to about 128,000-320,000 people).

If you choose to talk to Susan, know that she may not welcome your concern, and will probably react with anger or denial that she has a problem. She may be more open to talking if it's clear that you're concerned, but not going to harass her. And because you aren't in a position to be her therapist, if you do talk to her, have the names of some organizations or people she may want to speak to for help.

The group called the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) uses the acronym CONFRONT to outline a strategy for confronting someone with an eating disorder:

Good luck to both of you.