How To Support Someone Who is Getting Treated for an Eating Disorder

Having an eating disorder is difficult, getting treatment for an eating disorder is also difficult. It take effort to recover from an eating disorder and recovery isn’t always linear. There are starts and stops with any recovery and that goes for treatment for an eating disorder. If you’re receiving treatment for an eating disorder you’ll need support from family and friends.

While having and recovering from an eating disorder is challenging it can also be difficult for those who want to support their loved one who suffers with an eating disorder. Often people will avoid the person who is in recovery for an eating disorder because they are uncomfortable and don’t know what to say. They don’t want to say the wrong thing and possibly make things worse so they say nothing. Saying nothing or avoiding the friend or loved one with an eating disorder may not make things worse but it will certainly not make them better.

Let your friend or loved one know you are there for them. Offer to listen if they would like to talk. You don’t have to offer a solution to their problems, just provide an ear or shoulder if necessary.

Below are some other tips to help those who want to support a friend or loved one who is being treated for an eating disorder.

Follow these tips to support your loved one with an eating disorder:

• An eating disorder is an illness while there is evidence to support the behavior can be learned it isn’t likely you will catch an eating disorder.
• Only the person with the eating disorder can do the work to recover. You can’t make them fail and you can’t make them succeed. You can, however, support them.
• While it is okay to discuss the eating disorder with your loved one it is not okay to discuss it on social media or with friends without the permission of the loved one. Respect their privacy and let them take the lead when it comes to talking about it publicly.
• Be aware of triggers and offer support even if you don’t understand the trigger.
• Point out the person’s strengths but steer clear of commenting on appearance, size or number on the scale while the patient works to recover.
• There is more to a person than his or her eating disorder. If they were smart and funny before the eating disorder they still are, they just have some tough issues to deal with at the moment.
• If you are a parent and are in charge of preparing meals include your child in the meal planning process.
• Plan activities before and especially after meal that are not related to food. Take a walk, go for a bike ride or head out to the mall for a movie. Do something to break the routine and avoid common triggers.
• Don’t talk negatively about your body size/appearance or others. If you must comment on your appearance or those of others find something positive and focus on that.
• Talk openly with your loved one but understand they may have boundaries.
• Believe in your loved one. Let them know you think they can reach their goals, especially if they don’t feel as if they can.

Recovery is rarely linear. Those with an eating disorder often fall off the wagon and go back to old habits. It can take many attempts to be free from an eating disorder. The process takes time. Be supportive and don’t judge. Offer your support and unconditional love.