Thinking About Eating Disorders

Allow me to tell you the story of a friend of mine.

A young teenage girl we know recently suffered through the death of her mother and consequently had to be faced with being raised by her father in whom she was petrified of. Did I mention she was to be in charge of raising her 6 younger brothers and sisters.

She was always thin, but now weighs 90 pounds. She doesn’t think she has a problem and her father doesn’t think she has a problem. There are many questions in this situation, the major one being does she have an eating disorder. If she does have an eating disorder, what type is it….anorexia, bulimia?

It’s clear she needs help, others have tried, however her father prevents any intervention. The question becomes, what is causing the eating disorder? That’s why I assembled this collection of articles and ebooks on eating disorders. Hopefully, you…the reader, might see yourself or someone you care about in the articles to come. Perhaps you might see that you are experiencing the symptoms discussed for anorexia or bulimia. Maybe you binge eat.

In a society that is increasingly placing standards of beauty upon the youths of our population, people are at more of a risk than ever when it comes to developing an eating disorder. The celebrities in television and the media display stick-thin figures which can create a high standard of beauty that can lead to many problems with an individual’s self esteem. When coupled with the fact that an obesity epidemic is overtaking much of the modern world, it’s important to have a full understanding of the eating disorders which are prevalent in society today in order to be able to catch the warning signs when an individual you know is afflicted.

This truly is a life and death discussion. Admitting you might have an eating disorder of some type is the first step in finding a solution to your problem. I pray that you might listen to the voice inside your head as you read the following material.

 

Helping a Loved One With an Eating Disorder

If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, you may be wondering how you should approach this sensitive matter. Most people suffering with an eating disorder will try to hide the symptoms from even their closest friends and family members. Confronting a person with an eating disorder can be a difficult thing to do. Once you've made the decision, here are a few ideas to get you through this difficult endeavor.

First, remember that you are doing the right thing about trying to help a friend. Providing unconditional support can be very important to someone who is suffering from an eating disorder. You can be the lifeline for someone who is troubled. Adopt an attitude that is open, caring and non-judgmental. Never criticize someone who is suffering from an eating disorder. Often, this will only make an individual further cut him or herself off from their friend and family network. Always proceed with the ability to be sensitive and open to your friend's thoughts and anxieties. Don't make your friend feel guilty about their behavior, or simply lecture them on the dangers of eating disorders.

If you decide to speak with a friend or loved one with an eating disorder, it helps to learn more about eating disorders in general. This can help you anticipate any problems or concerns that your friend may bring up in the course of the discussion. However, don't use your new knowledge about eating disorders to try to scare or lecture your friend. Simply express your concerns. Tell your friend what behaviors you have observed, and be prepared to back up these assertions with specific examples. Many eating disorder patients who are first confronted about their condition may try to deny or justify their symptoms. Be calm but persistent about relating your observations to your friend.

Always find a quiet place to speak to a friend or loved one about an eating disorder. Make sure you can meet some place where you won't be interrupted. Be caring and open, avoiding any body language that may be interrupted negatively by your friend. Gently ask your friend if he or she would be willing to speak to a health professional about their body image concerns. Stress the fact that there exist many health professionals dedicated to treating eating disorders, and that such a person can help them with their own concerns.

If you feel uncomfortable about confronting your friend with the idea of visiting a health professional, at the very least you should try to get them to talk about their feelings. Ask them to describe how they feel about food, and how they feel when they engage in compulsive behavior, such as not eating, overeating, binging, purging, and over-strenuous exercise. Many times, simply getting the person to open up about their problem can relieve much of the secret shame and stress that often accompanies eating disorders. However, if you find that your meeting is not fruitful, take a break and try again at a later time.

Written by: Scott Parat