Eating Disorders: What They Are and Tips for Talking About Them
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses that can cause severe disruptions in a person's eating habits, emotional state, and thoughts. This post covers three main types, as well as some insights from loved ones of adults with eating disorders.
Three Types of Eating Disorders
● Anorexia Nervosa: This involves restricting food intake, which often leads to severe weight loss. People with anorexia may have an intense fear of gaining weight and an unrealistic body image.
● Bulimia Nervosa: This is characterized by binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise. Like anorexia, people with bulimia often have a negative body image and high levels of concern with body shape and weight.
● Binge Eating Disorder: This involves periods of binge eating without the behaviors following the eating seen in bulimia. Individuals with binge eating disorder often feel unable to control their eating during binge episodes and may feel depressed, ashamed, or guilty afterward.
How to Help
Eating disorders can be devastating for parents to witness in their children (of any age). Parents can play an essential role in identifying eating disorders early, supporting their child through treatment and recovery, and helping prevent relapse.
As a parent, friend, or loved one, it can be incredibly difficult to watch someone struggle with food, weight, or body image. But one of the most important things you can do is start a conversation. Here's how to approach this sensitive topic with empathy and understanding.
Avoid Judgment and Blame
Try not to blame yourself or the person with the eating disorder for the situation. Remember that eating disorders are complex illnesses with many contributing factors. You likely did not cause the eating disorder, and your loved one is not choosing to have one.
Focus on listening without interrupting or criticizing. Validate their feelings and let them know you're there to support them. Encourage them to express their thoughts and experiences. Repeating what they said shows you're listening and understanding. You might try asking open-ended questions to draw them out. Examples include "What's that like for you?" or "Can you tell me more about what's happening with food?"
Focus on the Positive Steps Forward
As a parent, it's easy to dwell on the negative aspects of your adult child's eating disorder recovery. However, too many setbacks and struggles can make the process seem hopeless. Instead, look for the little wins and positive steps forward, no matter how small. Celebrate any efforts to eat more regularly, desire to socialize again, or return of energy or interest in activities. Highlighting and encouraging these steps, even just once a week, can motivate your loved one to keep progressing.
Offer Alternative Coping Strategies
For adults using food restriction, binge eating, or purging as coping mechanisms, it's hard to break those habits and find healthier alternatives. As a loved one, you can help model and suggest different coping strategies. These could include journaling, talking to a friend, creative outlets like art and music, or mindfulness practices. Try proposing alternatives non-judgmentally and be there to support your loved one as they try incorporating new coping strategies. With time and consistency, healthier habits can replace disordered eating patterns.
Additional Tips
● Be sensitive. Avoid making remarks about weight, body image, or food that are likely to come across as insensitive.
● Focus on health, not weight. Emphasize that you want them to be happy and healthy.
● Let them know you're there for them, and respect their pace.
● Reach out to others for support and set boundaries if needed.
● Take care of yourself to effectively support your loved ones.
● Encourage professional therapy with therapists specializing in eating disorders.
● Avoid making food an issue: Take the focus away from food and numbers like weight or clothing size.
Above all, remember that eating disorders are complex illnesses rooted in biological, psychological, and social factors. With the proper therapy support and willingness, your loved one can overcome their eating disorder. Check out our Eating Disorder page to learn more about evidence-based therapy for eating disorders or contact us to get started.
