Parents of Children With Eating Disorders
Parents possess amazing imaginations. They picture the day when their daughter will graduate from college, marry, perhaps even have children of her own. Here’s what they never imagine: a daughter with an eating disorder. Unfortunately, millions of children, adolescents and adult women suffer from anorexia and bulimia. This means even greater numbers of parents are dealing with something they never anticipated, and worse, cannot possibly understand.
The most frequently asked question is "why?" Regrettably, there isn’t an easy answer. The best course of action for parents dealing with an eating disorder is to get help. A wise first step is to take the daughter to a physician, simply to ascertain the extent of the problem. If she has a full-blown eating disorder, then it is time to seek professional counseling for her, and very possibly, separate counseling for the parents and other children. Three important points to keep in mind: first, eating disorders rarely resolve on their own; second, if one daughter has an eating disorder, the entire family is impacted; and third, parents must not blame themselves– the blame game accomplishes nothing.
Remember...Eating disorders are devastating to the individual and highly destructive to the family. You did not cause this; therefore, you cannot fix this on your own. Please get help.
Discover more about this important topic by checking out the following articles.
Articles
It's Not Your Fault
by Rader Programs
It's Not Your Fault. Eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia and Compulsive Overeating are diseases and are not caused by family, friends or even the eating disordered individual themselves. There is no simple cause of eating disorders nor is there a simple cure. It is not possible to force an Anorexic to eat, prevent a Bulimic from purging, or stop a Compulsive Overeater from bingeing. Family and friends often feel they must take on responsibility for the eating disorder, which is something they truly have no control over. The guilt associated with this misplaced responsibility can become paralyzing at times. Once you, as a family member or friend, have accepted that the eating disorder is not anyone's fault, you can be freed to take action that is honest and not clouded by what you "should" or "could" have done. ... Read More
Tips for Parents Dealing with Eating Disorder
by Abigail Natenshon, MA, LCSW, GCFP
For individuals who suffer from eating disorders, their relationship with food often takes the reverse path from healthy nourishment to unhealthy obsession. Food no longer is a way of fueling the body, but in eating disordered behavior becomes a way of dealing with other issues and feelings. Below are some signs and symptoms to help determine if you or a loved one may have developed an unhealthy relationship with food. If three or more of the following symptoms apply to you or a loved one please contact us. You or your loved one may be at risk of having an eating disorder... Read More
Resources
Preventing Eating Disorders in Kids and Teens: Parents can help prevent kids from developing an eating disorder by nurturing their self-esteem, and encouraging healthy attitudes about nutrition and appearance (KidsHealth.org)
Information for Parents: Excellent information for parents concerned about eating disorders. Put out by the National Eating Disorders Association.
One of the best sources for online eating disorder information available (NationalEatingDisorders.org) Do Parents Cause Eating Disorders: See what some of the nations leading experts say about Parents and the causes of eating disorders(Youtube.com)
Maudsley Parents: A Site for Parents of Eating Disordered Children: Maudsley Parents was created in 2006 by parents who helped their children recover with family-based treatment, to offer hope and help to other families confronting eating disorders.