Growing Thin

It is hard when you spend years being teased. If she thinks that the solution is to be thin, it is going to be hard to changet her mind if people start paying attention to her. If no one pays attention to her it can still be bad because she may think she isn't thin enough. The challenge is how to convince her that being thin doesn't necessarily mean that people will tell her she is pretty or even make her feel pretty enough. I went through that myself. When I did finally get the attention, I hated it because I thought the guys only liked me for how I look. It made me feel bad about myself and I had no self worth. She has to learn how to feel self worth without looking in the mirror for it. You can't achieve that by just losing weight. You have to have healty relationships, and learn that other people out there have the same worries as you do, and you aren't less of a person for how you look. Even if she feels beautiful there is always some jerl out there to tear that feeling apart because they are jealous if you let them. I had that experience with another female that was jealous of how good I felt.

I don't know if yo can help her by yourself, but if you can understand why she feels this way it is a start. Always be real with her, though, don't patronize her and say things just to make her feel good. That can do more damage than good. She needs to be able to rely on your honesty. If you think she is too thin you should tell her. If you are worried about her then you should let her know, but be her friend, not her mother. If you can figure all of that out, you could be a life saver, but don't expect that. Don't expect too much of your self. The mental anguish she went through is real. She will have to learn and believe that she has self worth no matter what she looks like on the outside. She can feel good about herself without expecting to be perfect, but how to get her to see that is the real challenge.

Goodluck, I hope that it gets better.

Sounds like time for professional help. Someone trained in this kind of thing. I would be more concerned if she was horribly skinny. However, if you observe her not eating or acting like a person that tosses their meal..bulemic. Then you may really need to seek help. Be supportive since you are a friend. Good luck with this situation.