I wouldn’t try to discuss this problem with her; I would rather listen to her and provide an empathetic ear to her problems. If I pushed too hard for her to get help, I could potentially push her away, which is the opposite of what I’d want in this situation. I would try to listen to her because she probably trusts me if she disclosed this issue to me, and I don’t want her to feel pressured by me. I would suggest seeking help in the form of counseling or outpatient therapy, but I would try to make her feel as though she had all of the power in that decision. Based on my personal experiences with friends, a lot of individuals suffering from eating disorders feel out of control, which is why they take control of their diet.
Eating disorders can be caused by a wide variety of different factors. Perhaps Kylie’s home life was a little unstable, and that’s how she took control of her life. Mass media and advertisements can also make young women feel pressured to look a certain way. The biggest contributing factor in Kylie’s case, however, is likely her being a dancer. Based on my personal experience, dancers in particular are under quite a bit of pressure to maintain a low weight.
Health risks from her bulimic behaviors, according to the NIMH, include a chronically sore throat, worn tooth enamel from stomach acid and intestinal distress. For her anorexic behaviors, health disks include brain damage, infertility, brittle hair and nails, mild anemia, and organ failure (NIMH, 2016).
I think I would tell Michael because battling this disorder is going to be extremely hard for Kylie, and she needs a strong support system. I would tell him to talk to her, and I would also mention the infertility, since having children is a huge plan of his and infertility is common in anorexic patients.
References
NIMH. (2016). Eating Disorders. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
