How To Support Someone Who Is Struggling With An Eating Disorder
6 minutes
This interview of me was first featured in Medium’s Authority Magazine.
Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
During my undergraduate years, I was fortunate to find mentorship under a professor who entrusted me with running her laboratory conducting studies on eating disorders. Having grown up as a gymnast, I intimately understood the societal pressures surrounding body image, particularly in a sport that emphasized smaller physiques for women. This experience fueled my desire to delve deeper into psychology while seeking a holistic understanding that incorporated exercise. While pursuing my graduate degree, I concurrently built a personal training business and led fitness classes. Additionally, I obtained certification in perinatal health, enabling me to address a wide spectrum of issues from disordered body image to disordered eating and exercise habits.
According to this study cited by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, at least 30 million people in the U.S. of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder. Can you suggest 3–5 reasons why this has become such a critical issue recently?
Impact of Social Media: The pervasive influence of social media platforms has exposed individuals, especially young people, to unrealistic beauty standards and thinness. Influencers and curated images often promote unattainable body ideals, fostering poor body image and encouraging disordered eating behaviors. Additionally, the stress and loneliness exacerbated by the pandemic left many individuals more susceptible to these external pressures.
Cultural Emphasis on Thinness: Western cultures have long idealized thinness as a symbol of success, attractiveness, and self-worth. This emphasis originated in media such as movies, television, and magazines and persists despite the emergence of body positivity movements.
Complex Interaction of Mental Health Factors: Unresolved mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, can contribute to the development of eating disorders. These conditions are often influenced by a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, personality traits, and environmental stressors, such as a chaotic home life or societal expectations.
Pharmaceutical Industry Influence: The promotion of weight loss drugs, which is currently taking on a resurgence with the promotion of those targeting GLP-1 receptors such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, has perpetuated the marketing of quick-fix solutions for weight management. This trend continues to reinforce harmful attitudes toward weight and body image and promotes the idea that individuals should pursue any means necessary to achieve a desired weight.
Based on your insight, what can concrete steps can a) individuals, b) corporations, c) communities and d) leaders do to address the core issues that are leading to this problem?
Individuals should prioritize their mental and physical health by practicing self-awareness and surrounding themselves with others who approach balanced and intuitive eating practices rather than restrictive or fad diets.
Corporate entities can promote health and wellness initiatives within their organizations. This can include providing access to healthy food options in cafeterias, offering wellness programs and resources for employees, and supporting initiatives that promote positive body image and self-esteem.
Communities can advocate for policies and programs that promote healthy living and physical movement. This can include funding for school food and sports programs that prioritize holistic health, promoting access to affordable and healthy food options in underserved areas, and providing education and resources for parents on fostering healthy eating habits in children.
Leaders can advocate initiatives that address the root causes of eating disorders. Examples include advocating for policies that regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, promoting body-positive messaging in media and advertising, and allocating funding for research and treatment programs aimed at preventing and treating eating disorders.
As you know, one of the challenges of an eating disorder is the harmful,and dismissive sentiment of “why can’t you just control yourself”. What do you think needs to be done to make it apparent that an eating disorder is an illness just like heart disease or schizophrenia?
Better training for healthcare providers is essential. When parents bring a child to a doctor and weight-related concerns arise, it’s common for the conversation to focus on lifestyle changes without addressing the underlying issues. This presents an opportunity to raise awareness about eating disorders as complex mental illnesses with genetic components, rather than solely attributing them to willpower or body image concerns. Additionally, since eating disorders often begin in adolescence or pre-adolescence, it would be beneficial to provide training for school teachers and counselors to recognize warning signs or false messages being spread among students. Their role would primarily be to refer affected individuals to professionals for assessment and support.
Here is the main question of our interview. Can you please share with our readers 5 ways to support a loved one who is struggling with an eating disorder? If you can, can you share an example from your own experience?
1 . Educate Yourself about Eating Disorders: Take the time to learn about eating disorders, their symptoms, and treatment options. Understanding the complexities of these conditions will help you provide more informed support to your loved one.
2 . Avoid Pushing for Change: It’s important to refrain from pressuring your loved one to change or fix their behavior. Recovery must come from within, and pushing too hard can be counterproductive. Instead, offer your support and encouragement as they navigate their journey.
3 . Offer Support in Their Preferred Way: Be there for your loved one in the way they need most. If they’re unsure how you can help, let them know you’re available to listen and support them however they need. Offer activities unrelated to food, such as going for a walk together, volunteering, or engaging in a calming and ongoing activity like a large puzzle.
4 . Respect Their Space: While it’s important to show your support, it’s also necessary to give your loved one space and autonomy. Avoid constantly monitoring their eating habits or hovering over them with questions. Instead, create a supportive environment where they feel safe and empowered to make their own choices. Acknowledge the issue and offer assistance when needed, but also respect their boundaries to avoid passively shaming them for their struggles.
5 . Practice Patience: Recovery from an eating disorder is a challenging and non-linear process that can take years. Avoid putting pressure on your loved one to show immediate improvement or to meet certain expectations. Instead, be patient, understanding, and admiring of their progress, no matter how small.
How do you navigate the balance between offering support and respecting the autonomy of a loved one with an eating disorder?
It’s important to recognize that these conditions are not a choice, and those affected would prefer healthier coping mechanisms if they could. Show compassion for the pain and confusion the individual may be experiencing, acknowledging that they are doing the best they can at the present moment. Listen to their perspective on how the disorder manifests for them and what it feels like to be in their experience. Engage in conversations about other aspects of their life and broader topics unrelated to food or physical appearance. Affirm their strengths and interests, reminding them of their value beyond their eating disorder.
Is there a message you would like to tell someone who may be reading this, who is currently struggling with an eating disorder?
To anyone who may be reading this and struggling with an eating disorder, I’m so sorry you are hurting. Recovery is possible, and also, it’s certainly not easy. The journey may feel daunting at times, but the pain you are experiencing is not permanent. Be patient with yourself and recognize that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to stumble along the way or find yourself in old patterns. Keep believing in yourself and the possibility of a brighter, healthier future ahead. You are deserving of support, love, and healing.
In your experience, what are the most effective strategies for building resilience and a positive self-image in individuals recovering from an eating disorder?
Individuals should explore and participate in activities that bring them joy and a sense of accomplishment. Pursuing passions and hobbies provides a distraction from negative thoughts and fosters feelings of competence and self-worth.
Individuals should reflect on and celebrate their small victories recognizing that recovery is a journey filled with ups and downs. Recognizing progress, however small, helps build confidence and resilience over time.
Individuals should be gentle and compassionate with themselves during the recovery process. They should challenge self-critical thoughts and surround themselves with positive and supportive people. This includes either refraining from social media or tailoring their experience to positive influencers.
Learn more about eating disorders and therapy and about intensives.
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