The information below is intended to provide parents and loved ones with suggestions on how to help their son or daughter struggling with an eating disorder. These suggestions are only intended to offer and maintain a supportive environment and should not be considered a form of treatment. Due to the serious nature of Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating it is important to seek treatment from professional eating disorder specialists that will assist with helping adolescents to full recovery.
Where to Start:
Realize eating disorders are severe illnesses that require specialized treatment for recovery
Seek a medical consult from a Pediatrician or Primary Care Physician.
Seek assessments and treatment from professional eating disorder specialists.
Seek education and guidance from professional eating disorder specialists.
Understand that recovery from an eating disorder is usually a long-term process.
Continue treatment with professional eating disorder specialists.
Ten suggestions on how to support your child:
Express your love and acceptance of them.
Journal your observations of their daily behaviors, eating habits and moods.
Speak to your adolescent about your concerns using concrete examples without using blaming or shaming language.
Ask questions to gain an understanding of what the adolescent perceives is happening.
Ask about their motivations which may be facilitating the eating disorder behaviors.
Seek professional assistance from your Pediatrician and find a local eating disorder specialist (to find an eating disorder specialists in your area please contact us at ).
Take into consideration the age of your adolescent and the severity of the illness, ask your eating disorder specialists how to safely monitor their eating habits, moods, and activities.
Based upon the severity of the illness and the age of your adolescent, encourage them to take responsibility for their treatment and recovery.
Remain personally supportive and kind to your adolescent.
Develop a personal support team of family and friends to assist when you are overwhelmed.
Keep in mind eating disorders are severe illnesses that affect your adolescent, your family and yourself. As a parent use your personal and professional relationships to maintain a clear focus on providing a thorough treatment plan within a highly nurturing environment.