Eating Disorders and Siblings: A Family Affair
Eating disorders are one of the most complex and confusing disorders for those affected and their families. Having a child diagnosed with an eating disorder can be very challenging for parents. Many programs and support groups are available for parents of individuals with eating disorders. However, very little attention or research has been focused on the siblings of individuals with eating disorders. Professionals and families must remember that siblings are also affected by these disorders. When a family faces a crisis such as a child facing an eating disorder often times the family’s attention will focus on the sick individual. This behavior although well intentioned can leave siblings feeling disconnected from the family or ignored by their parents. This also leaves room for siblings to build resentment towards the individual with the eating disorder and the parents that are focused on them. These siblings could also be forced into a new family role while the family organized to support the suffering individual. This could lead the sibling to take on extra responsibility to support his or her parents or take on a parental role in raising other siblings while parents are absent.
Recovery is a Family Affair
One way for families to stay united when a family member suffers from an eating disorder is to have the whole family, including siblings, take part in the recovery process. By treating the family instead of simply treating the illness, the family is given a place to openly discuss their emotions and feelings surrounding the disorder and the disorganization it may have caused the family. Many treatment programs now incorporate family therapy into their treatment plans as a way for the family to heal and discuss the eating disorder.
A study that researched the quality of life (QOL) of siblings of adolescents with eating disorders (AED) was recently conducted. The Areemit, Katzman, Pinhas & Kaufman study (2010) included,
“Key themes identified included a desire to understand the ED, acute awareness of ED behaviors and thoughts, challenges in understanding noneating-related obsessive behaviors, increase in family conflict and arguments, compassion and concern for the AED, feelings of loss and sacrifice, overwhelming sense of responsibility for the AED, and a sense of pervasiveness of the ED in all aspects of their lives. The siblings’ accounts of these themes were noted to be fraught with contradictions. Eighty percent reported that their QOL was negatively affected by the onset of their siblings’ ED.”
Tips for Siblings of Someone with an Eating Disorder
Fortunately there are ways to support these family members. The Eating Disorder Foundation of Victoria offers some helpful tips for siblings of someone with an eating disorder.
“Accept that your sibling’s illness is not your fault. Realise that it is the eating disorder that makes your sibling grumpy, moody, angry and hurtful and that it’s not the person saying or behaving in that way. The eating disorder can override rational behaviour and limit your sibling’s normal (old) behaviours. Talk to your friends, parents, and relatives about your feelings and your fears. Attending support groups (especially for relatives of a person with an eating disorder) and or even calling a Helpline (such as ours) may also be useful. Try to continue normal sibling activities that you shared before your sibling became ill. (Eating Disorder Foundation of Victoria, 2010)”
With more research on siblings of individuals with eating disorders, mental health professionals, treatment centers as well as families can become better equipped as to address the emotions felt by these family members and further support these important family members. When dealing with eating disorders it is important to remember that an eating disorder affects more than just the patient and that the family, including siblings, need to be supported and part of the recovery process.
Sources
1. Areemit RS, Katzman DK, Pinhas L, Kaufman ME. (2010). The experience of siblings of adolescents with eating disorders. J Adolesc Health. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.12.011. Epub 2010 Feb 11.
2. The Eating Disorder Foundation of Victoria. (2007). Eating Disorders and Your Sibling. eat