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Most sufferers are embarrassed and ashamed about
their messed up eating behaviours and beliefs about food and
weight.
It is really difficult for someone with an
eating disorder to open up to someone who doesn't know what
it is like to have this illness.
It can take weeks and even months till they
are ready to share their story with someone else.
They are afraid of being rejected, not understood
and left alone again.
Telling
someone about what you are going through is something very important and very
brave to do. Myself, it took me months before I was able to tell someone about
my daily struggles with an eating disorder. I was so afraid of being rejected
and was constantly asking myself:
"How will they react?"
"What will they say?" "Will they understand me?" "Will
they think I am crazy?" "Will they be mad at me?" "Will
they stop wanting to have something to do with me?" "Will they leave
me alone?"
Talk to a person
you can trust and feel comfortable talking with - family members, friends, teachers,
local eating disorders support groups, doctors, counselors or any other specialist
who is trained to help people who are suffering with an eating disorder.
Quote
from a woman in recovery..
"Somehow I want my family to
find out so I can get help. I do need help... I throw up at least once a day.
I know I need help but I don't know where to go. I know I can't do it on my own."
Before we tell someone about what is going on
with us, sufferers often spend days, weeks, even months trying
to figure out what to say and how the other person is going
to react to our 'confession'.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to say how that
person is going to react and the only way we are ever going
to find out is with taking the chance and sharing our story
with them.
The reaction.... the person may be surprised,
shocked, worried, upset, start to cry, or may be relieved
that you are finally opening up to them because they have
already picked up the signs and know what is going on with
you.
Or maybe the person does not know what to say,
how to respond and may not say anything and may not even know
anything about eating disorders.
A very good idea is to bring some information
about eating disorders to give to that person you are about
to open up to. That way they can educate themselves a bit
about your problem and learn about how to best support you.
There are several wonderful books written for loved ones of
people who suffer from an eating disorder.
Maybe the person needs some time to digest the
information you have given to them. After a couple of days
they may be ready to sit down again with you and talk about
your problem in more detail. By then, they probably have already
gotten quite a bit educated about your situation and the disorder
and the both of you can begin to talk about your options and
possibilities.
Eating-Disorder-Information.com is sponsored by "You
Are Not
Alone (Vol 1 + 2) - The Books of Companionship for
Women with Eating Disorders" - inspiring collections
of personal recovery stories, poems and artwork from
women who are either in strong recovery or fully recovered.
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of this and other sections of the Eating-Disorder-Information.com
website is intended only for broad, general information, and
should not replace one-on-one therapy with a trained professional.
As with all health-related issues, please refer to your personal
physician, dietician, counselor or therapist for a full evaluation
and to determine the best course of treatment. Eating-Disorder-Information.com
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or otherwise, that may be incurred as a consequence, directly
or indirectly, in the use or application of any contents of
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Recovery really is possible - also for you!
You Are Not Alone, Vol 2 (plus FREE Companion
CD) - The Book of Companionship for Women with Eating
Disorders
Inspiring collection of personal recovery stories,
poems, artwork, and song lyrics by women who are either
in recovery or fully recovered from an eating disorder.
Foreword by Dr.Anita Johnston (author
of Eating in the Light of the Moon)
RECOVERY MUSIC Also included in the book is the You Are Not
Alone Companion CD filled with healing songs by
women who are either fully recovered or in strong recovery
from an eating disorder.
Profits
are donated to eating disorder help and support organizations
to help raise awareness and help others in their recovery.
You Are Not Alone
is a proud sponsor of the
Recovery Buddies Project, the Joy Project, and MentorCONNECT.
Not
Alone (Vol 1 + 2) - The Books of Companionship for
Women with Eating Disorders" - inspiring collections
of personal recovery stories, poems and artwork from
women who are either in strong recovery or fully recovered.