When someone has an eating disorder, it not only affects them as an individual, but also the entire family. Recovery is a shared journey, and while the priority is to heal the person with the eating disorder, their family and loved ones also need support and healing.
The Family’s Role in Recovery
Having a steady support system is extremely important when recovering from an eating disorder and can be the key to positive outcomes following treatment. For many people, family members fill this role, providing much-needed emotional support, feelings of safety, accountability, and understanding without judgment.
For this reason, evidence-based approaches such as family-based therapy (FBT), which emphasize family participation, are included in treatment plans.
It’s important to remember that recovery is not linear and looks different for everyone. Families play a vital role in fostering a supportive environment. For those who don’t have family support, they can find help from others, such as friends and support groups.
Common Challenges Faced by Family Members
Being the steady rock for someone with an eating disorder can be challenging. It’s important to acknowledge when you, as a support person, need some help or guidance of your own. Some common challenges faced by family members may include:
Emotional Toll:
You may feel fear, guilt, frustration, or helplessness, especially when it seems as though recovery isn’t going as you think it should be.
Communication Breakdowns:
It’s common to be unsure about what to say or how to help. Remember that emotions are high, and not every interaction will be easy.
Misunderstanding the Illness:
Many confuse certain behaviors with choices. Eating disorders are mental illnesses—remember not to judge and to educate yourself if you don’t understand.
Losing Patience:
Being there for someone going through recovery can be very difficult, especially when you have your own life to live. It won’t always be easy, but remember that your support can make all the difference.
How Families Can Support Their Loved Ones
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to being there for a loved one who is dealing with an eating disorder. However, there are some things that everyone can do to show support:
- Learn about their specific eating disorder to better understand triggers, treatment, and what they may be going through.
- Communicate with empathy: Listen without judgment and refrain from discussing food or physical appearance.
- Stay consistent: Try your best to have structured mealtimes and maintain routines where appropriate.
- Encourage professional help while respecting the recovery process.
- Emphasize that being present, not perfect, matters most.
- Be open to participating in family therapy sessions.
Where Family Members Can Turn For Support
When you’re providing much-needed support to someone in recovery, you’ll likely find that you need a shoulder to lean on yourself or someone to talk to. Whether you’re feeling worn out, stressed, helpless, frustrated (or any other myriad of emotions), there are options, including:
- Family therapy or support groups
- Psychoeducation programs that teach coping skills
- Peer and parent communities, either online or in person
Remember that supporting someone through recovery can be emotionally draining and stressful; families deserve their own healing spaces, too.
Within Health is a revolutionary way for the millions of people who suffer from eating disorders to receive clinically-superior continuous care attuned to their needs. Whoever they are, wherever they live, and whatever form their eating disorder takes. Built to work where real life happens, Within treatment is accessible wherever you are, whenever you need. For more information, please visit withinhealth.com.