If you love someone with an eating disorder – You may feel like you have lost someone dear to you. Their spirit is gone, but they are still here – you just can’t reach them. You see them every day, but they seem to have lost their identity and their freedom.
If you love someone with an eating disorder – Do not let them be isolated. Eating disorders fester in silence, ED confines and controls. Get their mind off of food. Go for a walk, go on a road trip – do anything to get ED out of the equation.
If you love someone with an eating disorder – Think of an eating disorder as it’s own person, or better yet, as an abusive partner. After abusing themselves for so long, it has become more comfortable to them to endure the harm than to break the self-destructive habits. They may be scared of what lies beyond the eating disorder, so they stay because it has become all that they know.
If you love someone with an eating disorder – Things may get worse before they get better. After they start eating more and looking healthier, it will take time to adjust. ED will try his best to shame them for their progress, so be a voice of encouragement and love during this time. Fight deceitful shame with stable love.
If you love someone with an eating disorder – Don’t give up. It is going to be hard, but know that recovery takes time. Recovery is not a steady incline, but rather a series of loops. The one you love is strong and do not be afraid to keep reminding them of that.
If you love someone with an eating disorder – Please know that the one you love is still there. The person, once full of life, is hidden behind a wall of fear. One of the best things for them to know is that normal life is waiting. They just have to take one step at a time in the right direction.
There is no foolproof way to handle an eating disorder – every individual is different. If someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, loving them through it might feel as if you are not getting through, but believe me, you are. When I was struggling with my eating disorder, the love of my family and friends kept me going. At times it will feel as if ED is winning, but do not give up. Please know that there is hope for freedom and an ED-free life.