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Eating Disorder Treatment
How can I help someone affected with an eating disorder? I suspect my sister but I don’t know wht to do as she avoids the topic?
(17 Apr 2009)
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Eating disorders are not a trivial matter, and are extremely damaging to your health, both physically and emotionally. You are absolutely right to be concerned. Friends and family are vital and can help overcome such disorders and your sister is lucky to have someone as intuitive and concerned as you.
Concern for the afflicted person is however not enough as if you take the wrong approach and confront your sister or accuse her she will get defensive. A confrontation will only further alienate her and this will aggravate her condition. Eating disorders stem from psychological disturbances.
Firstly you need to do some research and read up on eating disorders. Check the warning signs, and if your suspicions are grounded in facts, you will need to act. When you approach someone you care for, about an eating disorder, you need to make sure that your approach and communication does not come across as either confrontational or accusatory. Try and get the person away and enquire in private. Let your sister know that you care about her, and instead of making wild accusations focus on the specifics – distinct and undeniable behavior patterns that trouble you.
Here are some points outlined for you:
- Try to focus on specific incidents and occurrences, expressing your concern that these factors are indicative of eating disorders that may need professional attention.
- If your sister denies it and becomes defensive do not push the point across. Give her space and time, but let her know that you are worried and that you will always be available if needed.
- Eating disorders are no simple matter and the problem can be extremely complicated. Solutions that seem simple and obvious to you are extremely tough for the affected person. Do not make the mistake of telling her what to do, in the context of diet.
Eating disorders are most often a mechanism of dealing with painful or repressed emotions so don’t be surprised or hurt if your sister shuts you out at first. It may take a lot of time and patience on your part before she is even willing to admit to you that she does have a problem.
Apart from the help and support of a loving family medical treatment and assistance is important and vital in most cases. Depending on the nature of the illness, and the severity, and the physical health of the individual treatment options will be recommended. Treatment may include counseling or psychotherapy and nutritional counseling. Support groups are also very helpful. These treatments will help address the immediate problem, as well as work on the deeper emotional and psychological cause. In cases where the eating disorder has progressed too far or if it has taken a sever toll on the patient’s physical health hospitalization may also be required.
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answered by G M on 17 Apr 2009, 2:43:29
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