You are quite mistaken about these people not wanting attention! Yes, they do. MANY, (not all) of these young women start this whole eating disorder BECAUSE they want constant attention and they do not want to grow up. They don't want to have periods, or go out into the world and take care of themselves. Life is hard...it's easier to just fall down and let someone pet your head and take care of you 24/7. Their parents enable them, give up their own lives and focus totally on the one with the eating disorder; they allow themselves to be held hostage. For this type of anorexic, I have very little sympathy.
And, yes, I HAVE had much experience with anorexic friends and other people with whom I've come into contact. Not every one has the "I-don't-want-to-grow-up mentality...some do start out by being affected by the comments of stupid people telling them they are fat. They already have no self-esteem and that just pushes them over the edge. Or they have been molested, feel out of control and then decide that the only thing they CAN control is their food. Pretty soon, because of poor nutrition, they are unable to think properly and the disease becomes a monster that overtakes them and they no longer have the brain function necessary to turn themselves around on their own.
What I have never understood is why parents ignore the warning signs and don't get these girls into treatment WAY before it reaches the point of no return. If you are in tune with your child you know when something isn't right. You put them into treatment immediately. And you don't allow them to just "walk out" of a treatment center, either. If you don't make it so easy for them to come home, they are a little less likely to leave treatment. It's called "Tough Love"...and it works if you catch this immediately.
