Hope and Support
One important aspect of recovery is having that necessary support. Having a great support system from your family and doctors will help make this difficult time easier as you can have that outseide outlet to lean on and express your feelings too.
How families and friends can help a loved one:
How families and friends can help a loved one:
- Learn about eating disorders and the different types of treatment: You can help your loved one by spending time to truly understand the many emotions that he/she has to face. Learn about medical care, the different levels of care (inpatient, outpatient), medication, different types of therapy, and counseling.
- Try not to focus on the eating disorder when doing activities: Once one who is suffering from an eating disorder starts to recieve proper care, he/she feels like everyone is always focused on the food and weight and worrying if they are keeping up with their dietary needs. However, it is still imporatnt to express your care in other ways, not just when they are doing well with food or with gaining weight.
- Be a good role model: Show to your loved one what a healthy mindset entails, and try not to be triggering when it comes to eating food. Understand that eating is a very sensitive action for your loved one and comes with many emotions and thoughts that may cause difficulty, but always try to be there for support
- Ask for professional help: Sometimes it might be scary to face this alone and there is no reason why a family should battle this problem alone.
- Help your loved one recognize the that he/she has a problem that needs to be treated:Those suffering from an eating disorder do not recognize and are in denial that they have a problem as they see their behaviors and "rules" as completly normal. Show your and express to your loved one your concerns, and understand that there will be resistance from your loved one as he/she denies help. It is important to be patient and understand that the way your loved one is reacting is the reaction of the eating disorder voice. Seek the appropriate help you believe is necessary to help your loved one break this dangerous cycle.
- Communication: Those suffering from an eating disorder have emotional pain and disgust withing themselves and it is not all about the food. It is important that you have an open communication with your loved one as talking about the conflicting pain inside will help ease the tension and bring a sense of relief.
- A strong support team: Finding the right level of care with the necessary doctors, nutritionists, phychiatrists/therapists, and other medical professionals will help both you and your loved one and make the process that much easier.
- Do not blame yourself: It is not your fault that your loved one is suffering from an eating disorder. Instead of feeling guilty or questioning "what you did wrong," ise that energy to accept that you did inflict the eating disorder on your loved one. Provide the love and support that your loved one needs.
- Do not forget to take care of yourself: Take good care of yourself in order to take good care of your loved one. It can be very stressful dealing with all of the doctors, treatment team, insurance policies, and your loved one, but you must make time to take care of your physical and emotional needs.
