How can I anonymously report my friend's eating disorder?

[CD]

My best friend since 2nd grade has had an eating disorder for 4 or 5 years now. I didn't figure it out for a long time. There has been a lot of drama swirling around lately that has upped the intensity of her condition. She has escalated from anorexia, to bulimia, to cutting. She has a twitter account (that she didn't want people close to her to discover) that is devoted to venting about her condition with the "Ana Mia Community" has "anorexic bulimic self harmer" as part of the description. Though recently many of her friends have cut her off and abandoned her entirely, I'm not ready to let her go because I fear it could actually kill her.
I want to report her disorder. I want to call a hotline anonymously that can contact my school or her parents or a help center or SOMEONE that will bring her condition to the attention of her parents. Keep in mind, her mother has been told before and is still in denial AND she's been to the dentist, doctor, and dermatologist countless times without her condition being detected. She's passed blood tests and they've somehow disregarded her dramatic weight loss.
I need to do something soon. If I call a hotline, what can they do? Is there anything you would suggest/recommend I do to help her get out of this?

[Juliet]

I don't know of any hotlines that can help. I recommend talking to a school counselor or nurse who can talk with this girl and her parents and try to help. This is very serious, way too serious for you to have to deal with on your own. Good luck to you and her both!

[dms5228]

This is a tough situation for you to be in. However, I commend you for caring enough about your friend to worry. I too have struggled with anorexia and the worst thing people can do is abandon you. Most of the time, friends are so freaked out that they don't know what to do so they just distance themselves from the person. However, most people with an eating disorder have extreme depression.... so losing friends causes the person to feel alone and like no one cares which just worsens the problem and can often turn suicidal.

Unfortunately, there are not really any hotlines you can report her to. She has to be willing to accept she has an eating disorder and she has to want treatment. Forcing her into treatment will not do anything if she is not willing to accept she has an eating disorder (ed) and needs help. What she needs most right now is to be surrounded with love. She needs to know people truly care about her and will not leave her no matter what. People with eating disorders often feel unloved and disconnected from the rest of the world, so they find comfort in online ed communities where they can talk freely and unjugded. Also know that your friend feels a confusing mixture of emotions. As much as she wants help, she also doesn't want it. This is going to be especially difficult on you because she may argue and say nasty things to you when you try to confront her with it. This is unfortunately when most people with an ed lose friends. As hurtful as some of the things she may say be, please neither lose faith in your friend or take it personal. This is a very common response when people are confronted about their eating disorder. She may try to distance herself from people, but try to stay close whether it be through phone calls, fb, twitter, handwritten letters.... when she recovers she will realize how much of a true friend you are.

As far as getting her help, the most important thing is for her to realize she NEEDS help. I know you said her mother is in denial, but have you tried showing her the twitter account? You could try to talk to a school counselor, but know it may upset your friend. Also... maybe the both of you could sit down and research eating disorder clinics together. There are so many of them out there. Some of them are so nice that they are actually like a mini vacation. Also, see if she may consider counseling. Most important, stay supportive. If she does decide to get help, maybe you could offer to visit often, or write letters as much as possible. Also, maybe you two could set a goal weight and plan an awesome vacation for once her goal weight is achieved.

Good luck to you and your friend : )