How to Boost an Anorexic's Self Esteem

According to the American Psychiatric Association, anorexia affects less than 1 percent of teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 18. However, many of those affected by this eating disorder may also suffer from other serious issues such as low self esteem. In helping her recognize and recover from this disorder, you can help boost an anorexic's self esteem and assist her in her path towards a healthier life.

Things You'll Need

• Nutritionist
• Therapist
• Nutritional guide
• Meal plan

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Instructions

Support Your Loved One With Anorexia

• 1

  Confront your loved one if you believe you recognize the signs of anorexia in his or her behavior. While showing the signs associated with anorexia such as extreme weight loss or expressing negativity towards one's body may not always indicate that your loved one has this disease, it is far better for his health and his self-esteem to have an open discussion to determine whether further intervention is required.

• 2

  Examine your own relationship to food and body image. Many times, young girls look to older women in their life, particularly their mothers, for cues on what are acceptable eating habits. An anorexic's self esteem and body image may be particularly affected by your own level of self esteem.

• 3

  Encourage the anorexic in your life to pursue medical treatment for her condition by participating in group therapy sessions and nutritional counseling. Many programs, such as the Maudsley approach, require the participation of the anorexic's family and friends in re-shaping healthy eating habits and body image.

• 4

  Discuss issues related to body image such as standards of beauty within our culture. An anorexic's condition may be linked to the pressures she feels from society's expectations for an idealized figure or dress size. You can help boost her self esteem by reinforcing positive body image role models.

• 5

  Reinforce weight gain as a successful endeavor. Supporting weight gain through positive rewards and reinforcement such as clothing or activities will help boost her self esteem.

• 6

  Provide an open forum in which your loved one can express her feelings regarding her self-image. Therapeutic enterprises such as art or movement therapy may provide her with the tools to express her fears and weaknesses in a safe and non-judgmental environment.