How to Help a Loved One With Anorexia

People may develop eating disorders such as anorexia in response to negative events in their lives like family and relationship conflict, external and internal pressures and stress. Many may see anorexic behavior as a way of coping with these situations. It is a way in which they can take control over an aspect of their lives when everything else seems to be out of their control. You can help a loved one with anorexia by taking an active role in her recovery.

Things You'll Need

• Support group
• Physician
• Nutritionist
• Therapist

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Instructions

Help a Loved One With Anorexia

• 1

  Learn to recognize the signs of anorexia. These may include expression of negative thoughts towards one's body, refusal to eat sufficient calories to maintain a healthy body, drastic weight and muscle mass loss, as well as other physical symptoms like hair loss and skin tone and color change.

• 2

  Confront your loved one regarding her condition in a loving and supportive manner.

• 3

  Avoid confrontations in which you put your loved one in a defensive position. When you open the discussion regarding anorexia and his current behavior, reassure him that you are not blaming him and are not disappointed in him in any way.

• 4

  Help your loved one find the appropriate care for her anorexia. You should encourage her to meet with her physician to discuss diagnostic and treatment options.

• 5

  Help her find a treatment center that will work best with her lifestyle. Anorexia may be treated on an outpatient basis, although it is important to determine whether the center you choose can accommodate her work or school schedule.

• 6

  Examine your own eating habits and relationship to your own body image. Evaluating and making appropriate changes to your diet and exercise habits may help your loved one develop a realistic body image for herself as well.

• 7

  Explore family therapy methods such as the Maudsley method, in which parents or loved ones take an active role in encouraging the anorexic patient to eat a healthier diet. Therapy of this kind must be done under the supervision of a trained nutritionist and therapist.

• 8

  Work with your loved one to help her develop healthier methods for coping with life's stressful situations. You may find that exploring solutions such as communication, art therapy, meditation and yoga together will aid in your loved one's recovery.