Comments on: Starving for attention http://njjewishnews.com/nu/2009/09/30/starving-for-attention/ Fresh Ideas from Garden State Teens Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:07:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Coder78 http://njjewishnews.com/nu/2009/09/30/starving-for-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-465 Coder78 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:42:33 +0000 http://njjewishnews.com/nu/?p=738#comment-465 This book is describing my life, my feelings and my mindset. , This book is describing my life, my feelings and my mindset. ,

]]> By: Mariana http://njjewishnews.com/nu/2009/09/30/starving-for-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-428 Mariana Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:20:31 +0000 http://njjewishnews.com/nu/?p=738#comment-428 It's not always just about insecurities. For a lot of us suffering from eating disorders, it's a struggle with growing up, or denying other, bigger problems we are just not ready to deal with -- and we replace them with food, or the lack thereof. Food often becomes symbolic of our feelings, our fears, and our worries. That said, I really commend you for being such a caring friend, going out of your way to help your friends. I'm 26 and have battled an eating disorder for over a decade, and I know during my teenage years it was VERY difficult to find friends who cared or were willing to just be there without judging. As you pointed out, there is a lot of "that's gross," and "she's doing it for attention." That really hurts people's feelings and adds to the stress they're already feeling, which just adds fuel to the fire, so to speak. You're at a great position to make a difference in your friends' lives, and I think sometimes just being there and listening is the most helpful thing a friend can do. It’s not always just about insecurities. For a lot of us suffering from eating disorders, it’s a struggle with growing up, or denying other, bigger problems we are just not ready to deal with — and we replace them with food, or the lack thereof. Food often becomes symbolic of our feelings, our fears, and our worries.

That said, I really commend you for being such a caring friend, going out of your way to help your friends. I’m 26 and have battled an eating disorder for over a decade, and I know during my teenage years it was VERY difficult to find friends who cared or were willing to just be there without judging. As you pointed out, there is a lot of “that’s gross,” and “she’s doing it for attention.” That really hurts people’s feelings and adds to the stress they’re already feeling, which just adds fuel to the fire, so to speak.

You’re at a great position to make a difference in your friends’ lives, and I think sometimes just being there and listening is the most helpful thing a friend can do.

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