Eating disorders lead to a lot of problems. On the physical side you risk damaging your body permanently. And on the mental side it can lead to depressions. Not just because you dislike your body, but also because the lack of food can affect your brain. Lack of proteins and certain vitamins can lead to depressions and other mental problems. But what is less talked about is the fact that eating disorders often leads to loneliness.
There can be several reasons for this. First, the person affected by eating disorders can be so ashamed of their body, or of their disease, that they avoid people. And if you are very sick, you might also be too weak to do things with your friends and family. When the body gets too little food even the slightest amount of physical strain can make you faint. But the most common reason for the loneliness is that so much of our society is based around food. Whatever you do and whoever you meet, almost all social gatherings have one thing in common; food!
When people meet, something is always served, whether it's lunch, dinner, coffee or just pizza. Our society sems to expect that when two or more people get together, you should eat.
Most people don't even think about this, but when you have eating disorders this can be a real nightmare, because you don't have a normal relationship to food.
Food is always the centre of attention when you have eating disorders. It controls you completely, whether you eat too little or you overeat. The food is always in control of you. Being around food can be very uncomfortable for someone who has eating disorders. And if you have to sit down at a table where there is food, it can make you feel horrible.
Because of this, since food is almost always served when people meet, you won't be able to function socially either. If you can't function well around food when you are alone, then you certainly can't function well around food in a social gathering.
As a result a lot of those who have eating disorders will avoid meeting people. It's not because they dislike other people, but they want to avoid situations where they know there will be food served. People around you often don't understand what it's like to have eating disorders. They might believe that it's them you are trying to avoid. It's quite common for people with eating disorders to get lonely. Your friends might try to ask you out in the beginning, but when you continue to say no, they simply give up. This loneliness can even make the eating disorders worse.
To avoid this you should suggest other areas to meet, places where there will be no food. And if you know someone with eating disorders then try to take this into consideration. Keep in mind that it's not you they are trying to avoid, it's the food! But there are plenty of things you can do that does not include food.
I know some of you might be planning to "convince" your friends to eat, but this is not a good idea. If they know you are planning to trick them into eating, then they will certainly avoid you.
If you want to keep the friendship, then don't try to force them to eat. Remember that a person with eating disorders can only be healed if they want it themselves!