I could feel my hip bones sticking out further and further each week. The indents above my collar bones were deep enough to safely hold a liquid. My face had lost all shape. I used to take pride in the low amounts of calories that I consumed in a day. It became a twisted game and I was always trying to beat yesterday's score. I did not see this as an issue at the time, and as the number on the scale went down I became satisfied with my "accomplishments." 98 pounds. This was my stopping point.

Self-confidence is one thing that I have struggled with all twenty-one years of my existence. For as long as I can remember, I have been tremendously hard on myself and cared an awful lot about what the people around me thought of me. I compared myself to those around me: "she is so much prettier than me" or "I am not as smart as he is," I would say. It took starvation, purging and an abundance of self-hatred to get to where I am today, at the best and healthiest version to date.

They say you have to hit rock bottom before you can grow and rebuild as a person. I do not know who "they" are, but they hit the nail on the head. From my own experience, I can tell you that there are certain things that you should and should not say to someone who has an eating disorder.

I beg of you not to say "you need to eat a cheeseburger."

I beg of you to research and recognize the signs sooner, rather than later.

I beg of you to approach them gently and with the utmost patience.

I beg of you not to get angry or irritated.

I beg of you not to ignore the problem, but to seek outside help if necessary.

I beg of you to listen and use kind words.

I beg of you to love.

I can promise you that anyone with an eating disorder knows in the back of their mind that it is not a healthy way to lose weight. In many cases it is a last resort. I felt hopeless. I felt scared. I felt alone. I did not realize how severe my issue was until I had a dear friend confront me and help me open up to someone. No forcing, no wrath, just calm, supportive words of endearment. My friend saved my life and due to this I have reached a high point in my life. My journey for self love is one that is not easy and is still underway, but I am eager to see the end result. This has not been an easy topic for me to discuss publicly, but if any advice that I have given helps one person in the slightest, I know that it was worth it.

So if you know anyone who may be struggling like I was, please be there. In the words of Elvis, I beg of you.