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TELLING SOMEONE YOU HAVE AN EATING DISORDER
At Rader Programs we understand that it is a a big step
for a person to come to terms with and make the decision to seek support for
an eating disorder. Many individuals
find the need or wish to share that they are suffering from an eating disorder with
someone else. The following is a guide,
which can help you to communicate what you are going through.
It’s Not Your Fault. Individuals with eating disorders often feel hesitant about
sharing with others that they are suffering with an eating disorder. Eating disordered
individuals often feel that if they were truthful about their disease, family members
and friends would abandon them. They mistakenly feel that they are burdening the
other person with the responsibility or blame for the eating disorder. The guilt
associated with this misplaced responsibility can become paralyzing at times. Remember
that eating disorders are diseases and are not caused by family, friends or even
the eating disordered individual themselves. As with other diseases, there is no need
to place fault. Sharing what you are going through can open the door for you to
no longer have to suffer through the eating disorder alone. You are not asking for
the other person to fix you but to only hear you feelings. As you would
want to help the other person if they were in need of support, give them the chance
to help you. Most individuals feel honored when they are confided in and asked to
help.
Motivation. Prior to discussing your eating disorder
with someone else you may want to ask yourself what do you want to get out of the
conversation. Going into the conversation
with preconceived notions as to how the other person is going to react is not the
best idea. The conversation is most
effective when the goal is the honest communication of what you have been going
through. You cannot control how others
are going to react, but in most cases the response is one of sincere empathy and
support.
Information. Most individuals,
including many healthcare professionals, do not truly understand eating disorders. They may mistakenly believe that eating
disorders are a matter of willpower that can be controlled on your own. Help them by directing them to websites, such as ours, that describes the emotional,
physical, nutritional, exercise, family and social components of the eating disorder. They also need to understand that eating
disorders are diseases and are no one’s fault.
Telling someone you have an eating disorder can seem like an overwhelming proposition
but risking having this communication can be one of the first giant steps towards
recovery. By reaching out, you are
breaking the powerful hold the secrecy and silence the eating disorder has had over
your life. Rader programs understands
how difficult having the conversations with others can be and our counseling staff
can help guide you in these communications.
For more information or to arrange for a free confidential consultation, call
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