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Anorexia and Siblings: What Can I Do to Help?
If your brother or sister has suffered from anorexia, you may feel at a complete loss as to how to help or support your family member through this devastating illness. Anorexia and siblings present a unique challenge.
As a sibling, you have likely seen many changes in your family member as Anorexia develops, be it subtle or drastic. Perhaps you have been in denial about the behaviors you have seen in your brother or sister.
Maybe you have felt confused about patterns you have seen your sibling develop or frustrated at the strain that has been put on your family as a result of anorexia.
A Complex Disorder with Complex Emotions
You have likely experienced a myriad of emotions as you have observed many changes in your loved one, and know that you are permitted to feel such things. Anorexia is a complex psychiatric disorder that involves an intricate web of factors, and the process of overcoming this illness will require dedication.
As a sibling, it may be helpful to learn the basics of Anorexia to have a better understanding of what your sibling may be facing.
How to Start
To start, know that the eating disorder is not anything that was “caused” by any one person or factor. You or your parents or anyone else for that matter cannot assume responsibility for causing Anorexia to develop in your sibling. Anorexia develops as a result of multiple factors, including biological predispositions.
The nature of your sibling’s genetic make-up and neurobiology had a tremendous influence on whether or not they would develop Anorexia, and these are factors that no single person has any control over.
By understanding that you cannot change the past or the fact that your sibling has developed Anorexia may help alleviate any guilt or responsibility you may be feeling. Know that you can look ahead with hope for your entire family.
What Can I Do to Help?
You may be wondering, how can I help? Become involved in your sibling’s treatment process as appropriate. If you are living at home together with your sister or brother, learn how you can support your sibling in their recovery at home.
This might be under the guidance of a family therapist and treatment team. Collaborate with your parents or guardians to understand your role in the recovery process. Your brother or sister will need a support system at home, and being on the same page can promote consistent practices for recovery.
If your family is working with a therapist, inquire about family-based treatment, which has been an effective treatment method for anorexia.
Your Sibling Is Separate from Their Eating Disorder
Throughout this process, try to remember and focus on your sibling as a separate entity from the eating disorder. Anorexia is a vicious disease that can take over everything you once knew to be true about your sister or brother.
As recovery takes place, you will see them emerge once more, and your love and support can help them through this process.
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work and nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Reviewed & Updated on July 10, 2019, by Jacquelyn Ekern MS, LPC
Published January 19, 2015, on EatingDisorderHope.com
