Eating Disorders: What Families and Friends Can Do

Experts suggest the following tactics:

• Express your concern, and prepare yourself for all possible reactions: denial, anger, hostility, defensiveness or, perhaps, relief.



• Recognize that the person with an eating disorder will likely feel ashamed or embarrassed that you have uncovered the secret.



• Be firm but caring. Be prepared to state, specifically, observations that have led you to conclude the person has an eating disorder. Denial is difficult in the face of hard evidence.



• Don't nag about eating or not eating. Don't spy. People with eating disorders are already extremely self-conscious about their eating habits.



• Don't agree to help the person control binges by hiding food to keep them from binge eating. The person will likely end up resenting it and finding other ways to binge.



• Be willing to listen in times of distress. One of the best ways to help someone gain control over the eating disorder is to reach out to that person as a friend instead of focusing on eating behavior.



• Stress the fact that you care deeply and would like to help in whatever way you can, including finding the right treatment center and arranging an appointment. Medication, psychotherapy and nutrition education all can help.



• Take care of yourself. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and completely absorbed in this crisis. The American Anorexia Bulimia Association strongly encourages friends and family members seek support and can help you find resources in your area.

Remember: Your involvement can help to save the life of someone with an eating disorder. Read as much as possible about eating disorders so that you can help the person with the illness better understand the problem. Encouragement, caring and persistence are needed to convince someone with an eating disorder to get help. When acceptance happens, your loved one will need lots of understanding and encouragement to continue treatment.

External Source The American Anorexia Bulimia Association

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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