Supporting a loved one on their journey to recovery from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia , binge eating or any other restrictive disorder ) is incredibly important. To help you provide the best support possible, here are ten effective ways to assist your loved one during their ED recovery.
1. Educate Yourself on EDs and Recovery:
The first and most crucial step is to educate yourself about eating disorders and the recovery process. Learn what causes EDs and what steps are involved in recovery. Understanding their challenges and needs is essential.
If you don’t know where to start, read the book Rehabilitate, Rewire, Recover by Tabitha Farrar or schedule a session
2. Avoid Food-Related Comments: Refrain from making any comments about food, including discussions about quantities, diets, "good" or "bad" foods, or personal food choices. These topics can be extremely triggering for individuals in ED recovery.
3. Avoid Body-Related Comments: Similarly, avoid making comments about their body, your body, or anyone else's body. Comments about weight gain or loss can be distressing for someone in recovery.
4. Work on Your Own Relationship with Food: Cultivate a healthy relationship with food and your body. Being a positive example can have a significant impact on someone in recovery.
5. Normalize Hunger: Encourage normalization of hunger by asking your loved one if they're hungry and vocalizing your own hunger. This can help reduce anxiety around eating and hunger.
6. Eat Together and Engage in Conversation: Eating with your loved one and engaging in conversation during meals can make eating feel more normal and distract them from negative thoughts.
7. Validate Their Emotions: Recognize and validate their emotions, even if you can't fully understand their anxiety or fear about specific foods or the challenges of recovery. Let them know that these feelings are normal during recovery and won't last forever.
8. Remind Them of Their Reasons for Recovery: Ask your loved one about their reasons for recovery and repeat those reasons to them. This reinforcement can help them stay motivated.
9. Highlight Their Non-Physical Qualities: Remind your loved one of all the amazing qualities they possess that have nothing to do with their physical appearance.
10. Ask How You Can Support Them: Lastly, let your loved one know that you're there for them and ask, "How can I support you?" Encourage them to communicate if anything you do or say triggers them or helps them in their recovery journey.
Supporting someone in their ED recovery requires patience, understanding, and empathy. By following these ten steps, you can be a valuable source of support during this challenging time.
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