Helping a friend with an eating disorder?

I've known my friend for 13 going on 14 years. I'm 18 and he's going to be 17 Tuesday. He's been dealing with Anorexia (with Bulimic tendencies) for about 4 years now. As far as I knew, he was 98 lbs at 5'6" before he recently told me that he's been purging again. He says he's down to 87 lbs and he's starting to get scared. He'd eat in front of people and I'd spend most of the day after that with him, and I haven't seen him sneaking off to purge. I don't know how he's doing it. He's starting to become withdrawn and he seems to be sinking into depression -- as he does each year around this time in March (his brother committed suicide a while ago and it still is hard on him). He's open to talk to me about that and he says he feels better when he does, but when I get around the subject of his eating disorder, he gets quiet and upset about it. He does therapy, so maybe he might be talking there. From past years, I know this time in March is hard for him but in April he'll start to make progress again. I'm just worried more than ever because his weight is sinking lower and lower and I just don't want him to end up in the hospital again.

I didn't mean to ramble, but my question is -- how do I get him to open up to me and talk about his ED? I really want to help him and I don't want him to think that I'm ignoring him. What are some ways that I can help him through this difficult time? Maybe helping him stop purging because I know I can't force him to eat.

Sorry if this is confusing.

[Zoelula]

Your friend has a serious eating disorder and needs professional care. You say he is in therapy; is his therapist experienced with eating disorders. My take is that he might need to be referred to an inpatient facility at this point as his weight is dangerously low. You can support and love him as a friend and that DOES matter but I think it is beyond what you can help him through. I would suggest to him that he needs more help and encourage him to talk to his family and his therapist. I would be surprised if his therapist weren't already considering this. Sometimes when we are about to get help for our illness it gets worse, like it is fighting to hold on.