By loving them and showing that love.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to help a person with anorexia is to love them and demonstrate that love.
This doesn’t mean catering to their every whim but to act in a loving manner, and making sure the rest of the family also feels loved and everyone is a special member of the family environment.
It is important to know that a person suffering from anorexia feels comfortable and safe with her illness. Her greatest fear is gaining weight, something akin to a loss of control. Someone with anorexia will often deny they have a problem and will try to redirect the topic to someone else.
People suffering from anorexia will try to do anything to continue avoiding food. My experience is that the clashes and arguments should stay with the professionals and the family focus on rebuilding the relationship.
It sounds difficult and at times it is, but one thing that can help is to reach agreements with all the family members – remember anorexia is not about food.
I’ll say it again, learn about the illness and let yourself be guided by professionals.
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Tags: anorexia help, family and anorexia
Tags: anorexia help, family and anorexia
