How To Share About Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are all too common, affecting millions of people every day. But despite how common they are, they’re still hard to talk about. There’s shame and stigma attached to eating disorders, and if you’ve been struggling with one you’ve most likely been hiding it from others. But sharing your struggles with someone you trust is an essential step towards recovery. Remember, you don’t have to go through this difficult journey alone. Recovery is possible, especially with a strong support system.
Telling someone about your eating disorder is no easy task. Afterward, you may feel vulnerable, fatigued or exhausted by the emotional effort of the conversation
Consider who to tell
Choosing the right person to tell about your eating disorder is not a decision to be made lightly. They should be someone you feel most comfortable with. Think about who would be empathetic to your situation instead of trivializing or triggering you. While this person might be a family member, romantic partner, or close friend, it could also be a therapist or another important person in your life.
Reflect on yourself first
Be kind to yourself in this moment but be prepared for the conversation. Acknowledge that you have an eating disorder and that it’s okay (and very important) to seek help. Educate yourself about your condition, its symptoms, and its potential consequences on your physical and mental health. This knowledge will not only help you articulate your struggles better but also help you educate those you confide in. You might find it helpful to plan your talking points so you don’t get overwhelmed in the moment.
Be your authentic, honest self
This conversation is an opportunity for you to stop hiding from your loved one. Share your feelings and thoughts about your eating disorder and how it’s affected you. Tell them how long you’ve been struggling and any specific triggers or challenges you face. Vulnerability can be difficult, but you’ve got to embrace it so they can fully understand your situation.
Express your needs
Hopefully, by confiding in this person, you’re ready to start your recovery journey. Your loved one will probably want to know how they can help you. Let them know what you need from them and the concrete steps they can take to support you. Encourage them to ask questions since they might need some help to fully understand what you’re telling them.
Prepare for different reactions
Understand that people might react differently to your disclosure. Ideally, they’ll respond with empathy and compassion and offer unconditional support. Unfortunately, they may instead be shocked, confused, or uncertain about how to react. Be patient and give them time to process the information. Avoid being defensive if their initial response isn’t what you expected. Remember, their reactions are not a reflection of your worth or struggles. Leave them with reading materials about eating disorders so they can educate themselves and hopefully come to understand you better in time.
Take care of yourself afterward
Telling someone about your eating disorder is no easy task. Afterward, you may feel vulnerable, fatigued or exhausted by the emotional effort of the conversation. Give yourself space to wind down by walking, taking a long bath, or meditating. You might even want to journal about your emotions since this is the start of your recovery process.
Taking the next steps
You should discuss a treatment plan with medical and mental health professionals to recover from your eating disorder. Doctors and therapists specializing in the eating disorder recovery process can help you decide which therapies and in- or out-patient treatment you require. Building a support system of loved ones is an essential part of overcoming an eating disorder, so you’ve already taken the first steps.
To learn more about how eating disorder therapy can help you heal from an eating disorder, please reach out to us.
