By: Holly Shah Masters Level Intern
Supporting someone with an eating disorder can feel overwhelming. You may find
yourself wondering, “Where do I even start?” or “What can I do as one person to help?”
It’s natural to feel uncertain about how to help in the “right” way. When someone you
love is struggling, it’s understandable to want to support them. The following tips are
designed to help you do so effectively and compassionately.
1. Take Time to Learn About Eating Disorders
Educating yourself about the various types of eating disorders, their symptoms, causes,
and associated myths are essential for understanding your loved one’s experience.
much.” They encompass physical, mental, emotional, and social factors. It’s important to challenge common misconceptions, such as the idea that “eating disorders are only about being thin” or “recovery is just about eating more.” These misunderstandings can be harmful to someone struggling with an eating disorder. By educating yourself, you can replace false assumptions with empathy and knowledge, creating a judgment-free space. Remember, judgment has no place in eating disorder recovery!
2. Offer Support from a Place of Care, Not Control
Watching someone you care about struggle with an eating disorder can stir up emotions
like fear, sadness, worry, and frustration. While navigating these feelings, it’s important
to respect your loved one’s autonomy. Recovery is a personal journey and cannot be
forced upon anyone.
Show your support through care, compassion, and patience. Let your loved one know
that you’re there for them no matter what, whether they’re making progress or facing
setbacks. Recovery is rarely a linear process - it involves ups and downs. By offering
unwavering support, you demonstrate that your presence isn’t dependent on their
recovery status. Instead, it’s rooted in love and understanding.
3. Avoid Comments About Food or Body
People struggling with eating disorders often hyperfocus on food, eating habits, and
their bodies. Even well-intentioned comments like, “You should eat more” or “Your body
looks different since I last saw you” can inadvertently amplify their preoccupations.
These remarks reinforce the idea that others are focused on their food choices or
Appearance. Instead, offer affirmations that shift the focus to their inherent worth and the qualities you admire about them. For example:
“You are deserving and worthy of living a full and happy life.”
“You are so much more than your body. To me, you are...”
“I cherish the time we spend together. You always make me feel so loved.”
“I admire the strength, courage, and grace with which you navigate life.
4. Encourage Professional Help
Your support as a loved one is invaluable, but professional help is essential for managing an eating disorder. These conditions can be serious and even life-threatening, so seeking therapy or a registered dietitian is crucial. Professionals can provide the skills, emotional support, and guidance necessary for recovery. Encourage your loved one to seek help, and if they’re hesitant, offer to help them research resources or accompany them to an appointment. Remind them that they don’t have to navigate this journey alone. With professional guidance and your continued support, they’ll have the tools they need to work toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Some resources that might be beneficial include:
● National Eating Disorders Association - provides education on eating disorders
and eating disorder treatment along with tools to help you find the appropriate
treatment.
● Listen to podcasts such as ED Matters, Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast by
Jenean Anderson, and The Recovery Warrior Show. These podcasts include episodes on
the lived experiences of people in recovery, information from professionals in the
field, and the impact eating disorders can have on loved ones.
5. Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself
Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be incredibly challenging, so it’s
essential to prioritize your own well-being throughout this process. Witnessing a
loved one struggle with an eating disorder is both physically and emotionally
exhausting. Make it a priority to care for yourself by seeking support from family
and friends, individual counseling, or support groups.
Consider incorporating dedicated self-care time into your daily routine or setting
boundaries around the types of support you can provide. By taking care of yourself,
you’ll be better equipped to support your loved one effectively. By educating yourself, providing judgment-free support, avoiding harmful comments,
and encouraging professional help, you can make a meaningful difference in your loved one’s recovery journey. While the path to healing may be challenging, your care and
compassion can provide strength and hope along the way. Everyone is deserving and
worthy of living a life free from their eating disorder!
Helpful Resources:
National Eating Disorders Collaboration resource for “Caring for someone with
an eating disorder”
F.E.A.S.T - Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating
Disorders https://feast-ed.org/
National Eating Disorders Association “Parent Toolkit”
Surviving An Eating Disorder: Strategies for Family and Friends, Fourth
Edition, by Michele Siegel, PhD, Judith Brisman, PhD, CEDS, and Margot
When Your Teen Has An Eating Disorder by Lauren Mulheim, PsyD, CEDS
Other Mental Health Services Offered in PA, NJ, DE, SC, MD, CT, VT, and FL
We offer a wide variety of services related to eating disorder recovery including trauma therapy! We offer Weekly Support Groups, Nutrition Services, and Family and Parent Therapy as well as Coaching, all tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. We offer our services for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and Orthorexia as well as Maternal Mental Health, and eating disorder therapy for athletes online in New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Vermont, and Connecticut! We are here to offer our support and understanding in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
We have immediate openings right now for eating disorder therapy in:
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Recovered and Restored is an eating disorder therapy center founded by Gabrielle Morreale, LPC. We specialize in helping teens and young women heal from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, and binge eating disorder and treat disordered eating, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. We provide eating disorder therapy in the towns of Horsham, Upper Gwynedd, Lower Gwynedd, North Wales, Lansdale, Hatfield, Blue Bell, Doylestown, and nearby towns with eating disorder therapy. Also providing virtual eating disorder therapy in New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida. Some towns served virtually but are not limited to Pittsburg, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Center City, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Mount Laurel, Cape May, Avalon, Brick, Dover, New Castle, Bethany Beach, Marydel, and Oceanview
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