Helping a Loved One With an Eating Disorder

Help your teenager beat an eating disorder

If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, you may be wondering how you should approach this sensitive matter. Most people suffering with an eating disorder will try to hide the symptoms from even their closest friends and family members. Confronting a person with an eating disorder can be a difficult thing to do. Once you've made the decision, here are a few ideas to get you through this difficult endeavor.

First, remember that you are doing the right thing about trying to help a friend. Providing unconditional support can be very important to someone who is suffering from an eating disorder. You can be the lifeline for someone who is troubled. Adopt an attitude that is open, caring and non-judgmental. Never criticize someone who is suffering from an eating disorder. Often, this will only make an individual further cut him or herself off from their friend and family network. Always proceed with the ability to be sensitive and open to your friend's thoughts and anxieties. Don't make your friend feel guilty about their behavior, or simply lecture them on the dangers of eating disorders.

If you decide to speak with a friend or loved one with an eating disorder, it helps to learn more about eating disorders in general. This can help you anticipate any problems or concerns that your friend may bring up in the course of the discussion. However, don't use your new knowledge about eating disorders to try to scare or lecture your friend. Simply express your concerns. Tell your friend what behaviors you have observed, and be prepared to back up these assertions with specific examples. Many eating disorder patients who are first confronted about their condition may try to deny or justify their symptoms. Be calm but persistent about relating your observations to your friend.

Always find a quiet place to speak to a friend or loved one about an eating disorder. Make sure you can meet some place where you won't be interrupted. Be caring and open, avoiding any body language that may be interrupted negatively by your friend. Gently ask your friend if he or she would be willing to speak to a health professional about their body image concerns. Stress the fact that there exist many health professionals dedicated to treating eating disorders, and that such a person can help them with their own concerns.

If you feel uncomfortable about confronting your friend with the idea of visiting a health professional, at the very least you should try to get them to talk about their feelings. Ask them to describe how they feel about food, and how they feel when they engage in compulsive behavior, such as not eating, overeating, binging, purging, and over-strenuous exercise. Many times, simply getting the person to open up about their problem can relieve much of the secret shame and stress that often accompanies eating disorders. However, if you find that your meeting is not fruitful, take a break and try again at a later time.