FAMILY & FRIENDS
Support from family and friends can be the difference between an individual recovering, and being stuck with an eating disorder longer than anyone would like. Learning how families change because of the presence of an eating disorder, helpful things to say at mealtimes, triggers that may cause restriction and cause conflict between a loved one and their eating disorder, as well as what drives individuals through mealtimes, are all vital components in learning about anorexia and how it functions. Education will give you the confidence to challenge anorexia. If you're ever in doubt, ask your loved ones what's helpful, don't assume you know best and adopt methods which are unhelpful. Words can have meaning, whether they intend to or not.
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Eat with them
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Don't talk about calories
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Don’t talk about body shape or type
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Don’t make any comments regarding their appearance
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Distract them
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Ask them what you can do to help
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Offer them food like you would do anybody else despite them saying no
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Compliment them on things other than their appearance
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Don't comment on what they're eating
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Avoid saying they look healthy
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Buy foods they like offer your support trust them
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Don’t refer to what they were like “before" the illness
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Avoid sharing your activity level with them
It is not your fault that your loved one is struggling with an eating disorder. Nor is it your responsibility to "fix them". Offering support and love is always enough. Always make sure to look after yourself too! You are always enough, and your efforts will never go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Support can come in all shapes and sizes having a loved one who cares about you, is the best feeling ever. These are some tips which I feel loved ones should know when supporting an individual with an eating disorder. What works for one person could be so triggering to another. So always ensure you ask what they find helpful. But these phrases are very generic and can be helpful to a lot of people struggling with anorexic thoughts. I would also like to add that only 6% of individuals who are diagnosed with anorexia are underweight. It is a mental illness, not a physical illness. Weight loss is simply a symptom.