Telling Someone
If this disorder has already gotten to the point where it's controlling your life, you may need a hand to help to lift you out of it's clutches. Even if it hasn't dominated your life yet, you may still need support to leave it behind. It can be scary to admit to having an eating disorder, but if you feel as though you don't have the strength to conquer it all on your own (and that's okay), you definitely need to tell someone.
Tell someone that you trust and that you're comfortable with; be it a friend, a family member, or a guidance counselor. It's okay to be discreet at first or choke up a bit, but as long as you tell at least one person, you can begin to build a support group for yourself! Don't feel threatened if this person gives you a panicked reaction, especially if you know that it's from a place of legitimate love or concern. It's normal for our loved ones to want to protect us from harm, and it's almost instinctive for them to jump to the task of saving us if they feel that we need to be saved. With love on your side, be it self-love or love from others, Anorexia stands no chance.
Tell someone that you trust and that you're comfortable with; be it a friend, a family member, or a guidance counselor. It's okay to be discreet at first or choke up a bit, but as long as you tell at least one person, you can begin to build a support group for yourself! Don't feel threatened if this person gives you a panicked reaction, especially if you know that it's from a place of legitimate love or concern. It's normal for our loved ones to want to protect us from harm, and it's almost instinctive for them to jump to the task of saving us if they feel that we need to be saved. With love on your side, be it self-love or love from others, Anorexia stands no chance.
Do you Know Someone With an Eating Disorder?
If you suspect that a friend or family member of yours has an eating disorder, don't wait for the person's health to deteriorate before you decide that it's appropriate to approach them about it. It's good to acknowledge an ED before it has a chance to completely dominates someone's life and make them feel powerless.
Do have an understanding of eating disorders before you approach this person. Many people think that Anorexia stems from simply wanting not wanting to eat, and if you think so, please check out this page and search the web for more information about eating disorders.
Do tell them that you're there for them, whether or not they have an eating disorder. Lend a shoulder to cry on if necessary, and if this person rejects your help or says anything that concerns you, calmly tell them how you feel. Avoid scolding them or being aggressive.
Don't talk about their weight or appearance. Although I've never had Anorexia Nervosa, I've had BDD (body dysmorphic disorder), which is a mental illness in which the individual has a negative obsession with how they look. BDD is only one of the various links to eating disorders, and when you have this kind of mind-state, it's easy to take someone's comments (either negative or positive) towards your appearance and over analyze them. It simply contributes to the obsession, so please avoid doing this.
Do focus on their recovery and the happy, beautiful person that you know they are with or without an ED!
For even more information, check out this guide on the Nedic (National Eating Disorder Information Care) website.
Do have an understanding of eating disorders before you approach this person. Many people think that Anorexia stems from simply wanting not wanting to eat, and if you think so, please check out this page and search the web for more information about eating disorders.
Do tell them that you're there for them, whether or not they have an eating disorder. Lend a shoulder to cry on if necessary, and if this person rejects your help or says anything that concerns you, calmly tell them how you feel. Avoid scolding them or being aggressive.
Don't talk about their weight or appearance. Although I've never had Anorexia Nervosa, I've had BDD (body dysmorphic disorder), which is a mental illness in which the individual has a negative obsession with how they look. BDD is only one of the various links to eating disorders, and when you have this kind of mind-state, it's easy to take someone's comments (either negative or positive) towards your appearance and over analyze them. It simply contributes to the obsession, so please avoid doing this.
Do focus on their recovery and the happy, beautiful person that you know they are with or without an ED!
For even more information, check out this guide on the Nedic (National Eating Disorder Information Care) website.