Triggering (ED) - My sister is showing signs?

Sadiew · 22-07-2009, 09:28 PM

I hope this is in the right forum, but not sure where else to put it. I'm startying to get worried about my little sister, who is almost 8 now. She is very active, plays with her friends all the time (though she gets a good bit in time of the screen), and is in good shape, not fat at all. But, a while ago she was in a bathing suit and she told me that she was "chubby" and that you could see her tummy. She said it in sort of a shy/goofy way, but she means it. And when I was hugging her I joked that I could feel her ribs on her back and she said that she wanted to be "in shape." I told my mom and she told my sister she isn't fat at all. I told her I think it's abnormal, but she isn't overly concerned. I mentioned this to my freind (who is recovering greatly from bulimia) and she doens't think it's normal at all. Is it within the range of normalcy? I don't want to get worried if it's nothing, like when kids get pissed off, that's not good per se but it's normal. But, if it's bigger than that I want to know as well. it might go nowhere, but I don't want her to have to deal with and ED or something. and since I si and come from the same family I'm worried the same stuff may be taking a toll on her. any advice/personal stories/links would be grand. thanks for any help ^^

Tuesday · 22-07-2009, 10:19 PM

Well it may well be nothing to be concerned about, but I wouldn't say it's exactly normal. I'd just keep an eye out for anything else like that.

-Asphyxia- · 23-07-2009, 05:41 AM

Frankly, it's common nowadays for younger and younger girls to be insecure with their bodies...Due to media and such. My best advice would be to ask her yourself how she feels about her body, but maybe try and do it in an indiscreet/indirect way? (IE: how do you feel in that dress today, etc...) That's all I have for now, as I don't interact with young girls on a regular basis, but I hope she is okay and you as well.

Take care.

Sadiew · 23-07-2009, 05:56 AM

yeah, unfortunately it is getting more and more common for younger and younger girls to start worrying about their body image. And the occurrence of EDs is going up, and she is showing other signs... but yeah, I'll try to ask what she feels and put in compliments or whatnot. thanks ^^

cathyz · 23-07-2009, 07:05 AM

I think she had an inferiority complex... at her age she really need the support of your family. You should have help her to appreciate his looks and give the idea that being fat is not means of being not beautiful. Every one of you must appreciate her first like the way she dress, the beauty of her body, and more. So she overcome this type of behavior and start as well to appreciate her self and make her proud. Hope you get my point...

Cryptic. · 23-07-2009, 03:25 PM

It sounds like she has a low self esteem.

Talk to her and if you feel this is something that needs seen to, then nip it in the bud before this spirals into something worse.

Sadiew · 24-07-2009, 07:51 AM

I doubt I can get my family in on it, but if it starts to get worse I'll definitely get into it. But, till then I will just work on boosting her self-esteem.