I am not anorexic, but my younger cousin is. Her name is Sandra, and she is a 22 year old. Despite her 5'1" height, she excelled in basketball and eventually became captain of her high school basketball team in New Jersey. She had dreams of playing college ball and eventually in the WNBA. She never came close, and this also played a part in her OCD and anorexia.
Sandra has severe anorexia. It's been about 5 and a half years since she first displayed symptoms. She's been in and out of the best eating disorder hospitals and clinics all over the country. Of course, she believes she has no problem and the only time she allows herself to be checked into an eating disorder hospital is when she "feels like" something is wrong. A few more of this cycle, and it will be too late.
A major issue is that she cannot be forced to goto a hospital because she is over 18 and she can make her own decisions. Thing is, her mental state makes her believe she is fine when she obviously is not. There were times (for weeks to months) where she could not walk on her own and she had to be carried to the bathroom. Her parents are oblivious and think she will get over it. They constantly say "oh, she's getting better" when she is not. They are completely blinded. There was a point where she was 58 lbs and literally on her death bed. Luckily she was rushed to the hospital and survived.
She's been in different eating disorder hospitals for months at a time and had gained weight but of course they would let her out too early. Not only that, her parents can't afford to keep her in too long because of the high costs. Something needs to be done about this at the federal level.
I plan on speaking to some of Sandra's previous psychiatrists and therapists to find out what a last course action could be. Eating disorder facilities are out of the question because: 1) they are too expensive and 2) they let her out to early and she relapses every time.
I'm thinking she has to be forced into a state hospital where they will force her to take her meds and force her to receive treatment for a long time. Problem is, I think she has to voluntarily agree to go into the hospital. Another issue is convincing her parents. They think a state "mental" hospital is like the ones they see in the movies - filled with mentally insane criminals. I think I have to get a lawyer and psychiatrist to say that Sandra is not mentally able to make her own decisions and hopefully they can give me the power to make decisions for her.
I would love to hear some thoughts/advice and would also love to share my experiences witnessing this 1st hand.
