Advice on Anorexia due to Depression?

piexcore

So, my bf is struggling with clinical depression and due to this (or I suppose it could be the medication he's on) he doesn't eat. Like yesterday, he ate a few pieces of bacon, a latte ( he bought a donut too, but he just kind of carried it around with us all day), a mini chocolate bar, a black coffee and a bite of an egg biscuit. He might have eaten after I left (at like 10pm) but I doubt it. And my question is, should I encourage him to eat? Not like, pressure him or force him, just offer food, or be like "Hey man, I'm buying you a big mac?" or joke about it or something? Does the depression make you forget, or just lose your appetite or...what?
I'm asking because I have/had EDNOS and people talking/ pressuring/ forcing me to eat (or not eat as the case may be) always always always makes me worse. And when I confided in him about my eating issues, he told me he understood because he had anorexia due to his depression. But I'm pretty sure he isn't really 'anorexic' in the same sense...he doesn't do this to attain body image or control (he was actually afraid I would think how thin he is was 'gross'),- he just doesn't eat.
Normally I wouldn't press the issue, I mean, who am I to comment on someone else s eating habits, but yesterday he only got a latte because he started to physically shake. He played it cool, but I know it upsets him and I..I just want him to get better.
So...anonymous internet people who have been in this situation...advice?

piexcore

Bump?

felice03

he needs to consult with his doctor...easy answer...

piexcore

Well, yeah he has. I meant that I wanted to help him, be supportive and all that jazz. And I wanted someone who has gone through this to tell me the best way to do that.

meglynne1987

he needs to consult with his doctor...easy answer...

Agree 100%

you can support him by telling him you are concerned for him and that you would go wth him for support. bur he has to help himself first you can't force him to do anything... it just won't work. Hope this helps! and hope your friend gets better

Pams_Shadow

I'm not a doctor, but I think you should ask him. You can either be serious or casual, depending on how you think he'll respond best.

Serious... I care about you and I'd really like to help you with what you're facing right now. Is there anything I can do?

Casual... So, I've been thinking we should explore the local cuisine more... are you up to try out the new/old/swanky <<insert place>> this weekend?

Or maybe, turn it around and make it seem like he's helping you... So, I've been worried about my health/fitness/diet lately and I was wondering if you could help me out. I think it would help me a lot if I could eat when you do and make better food decisions.

Just crazy ideas from a random stranger. Best of luck to you and him both.

RedBullLiz

Yup. Doctor.

It'd probably be difficult to bring it up but you CARE about him. You want him by your side, right??

Maybe research it or eat small portions (as you said he "sorta" eats). But not unhealthy food. Fruit, maybe??

1a1a

I've had a couple of boyfriends who, left to their own devices rarely eat. I think they have become good at ignoring their body's hunger signals. I both cases they've inadvertently eaten more in my presence simply through my constantly getting hungry and sending us on food missions. So, inviting your guy to eat with you might help, seeing someone for the depression might help too. What ever you do, good luck.

piexcore

Thanks for the feedback guys.

maddiedog22

I no that I am the opposite of an emotional eater-like ur friend-when I am really stressed or sad my mind doesn't think about food, and I feel just sick to my stomach., nothing looks appealing so it causes me not to eat like I should bug I usually force it, I have pretty good self control, just make sure it's not long term, and offer fluids. If ur not hungry due to stress it will pass unless it's something else

LuckyLeprechaun

Support him, and be gentle with your words. And encourage him to get to a doc or a therapist.