Family Support in Eating Disorder Recovery: 11 Tips for Professionals
Family support is one of the most crucial elements of eating disorder treatment and recovery. Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be challenging but is incredibly important.
Below are 11 great tips that clinicians can use to guide families in supporting their loved one during eating disorder treatment.
Educate Yourself:
- Caretakers can learn about eating disorders, their signs, symptoms, and specialized eating disorder treatments. Understanding the condition can help you provide informed support.
2. Supportive and Non-judgmental Stance:
- Approach the person struggling with an eating disorder with compassion and empathy. Avoid blaming or judging them for their behavior as most people are not “themselves” while enduring eating disorder recovery.
3. Be a Safe Space for and Encourage Open Communication:
- Create a safe space for loved ones with eating disorders to express their feelings and thoughts throughout their eating disorder treatment. Listen actively without interrupting or offering unsolicited advice.
4. Avoid Discussions About Weight:
- Refrain from commenting on weight, diet, or body image on anyone, not just the identified patient. Focus on their well-being rather than appearance. Get rid of the scale at home so they cannot check it themselves, as many clients don’t know their weight during treatment and recovery from an eating disorder.
5. Support Adequate Intake:
- Follow plans set by the eating disorder dietitian on the team that involve balanced meals and enjoyable eating experiences. Offer to cook or share meals together.
6. **Encourage Professional Help**:
- Gently suggest that they seek help from a therapist, counselor, or nutritionist if the loved one is not currently getting professional treatment. Offer to assist in finding a professional specializing in eating disorder treatment or going with them to appointments if they’re comfortable.
7. Be Patient:
- Recovery can take time. Understand that there may be setbacks and that support is crucial throughout the process.
8. Avoid Ultimatums:
- Pressuring someone to change or threatening consequences can reinforce feelings of shame and isolation. Further, external motivation in eating disorder treatment is not affective over time
9. Focus on Goals and Interests:
- Encourage them to pursue hobbies and interests outside their eating disorder, fostering a sense of identity beyond the illness.
10. Take Care of Yourself:
- Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be emotionally taxing. Ensure caretakers are also taking care of their own mental health and seeking support for their own journey and complex emotions.
11. Know the Signs of Crisis:
- Be aware of warning signs that might indicate a crisis, such as severe weight loss, medical complications, or suicidal thoughts. If you notice these signs, seek immediate professional help or go to your nearest emergency room.
12. Follow Up:
- Regularly check in on them to show that you care and are there for them as they navigate their recovery journey. Do not just think they are recovered simply because they are doing better or have gained some weight. The illness goes much deeper than this.
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Legal disclaimer:
The content provided by Inclusive Eating Disorder Education, PLLC is for educational purposes only, aimed at helping clinicians and professionals learn about eating disorder treatment. This information is not a substitute for clinical supervision, professional training, or medical, psychological, or nutritional advice. Clinicians should always rely on their professional judgment and consult relevant healthcare providers when treating clients. IEDE assumes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to the use of this information in practice.