Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Learn more about the results we get at Within
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
If you have a friend or family member living with anorexia nervosa (AN), you are probably wondering how you can help. After all, if left untreated, AN can lead to starvation and serious medical complications.1 Perhaps you are researching types of interventions for anorexia nervosa to help your loved one. Below you can learn how to intervene with your loved one to help them get the support they need in their eating disorder treatment and recovery.
When a loved one shows signs of anorexia nervosa, such as an obsession with avoiding weight gain, severe weight loss, restricting food intake, and other disordered eating habits, it's time to step in and try to help.
Educate yourself about anorexia nervosa
The first step in performing an intervention for anorexia is to learn about eating disorders. Sometimes people have misconceptions about anorexia nervosa, and everyone can stand to learn how to be more understanding of people with eating disorders in general.
When you understand that anorexia nervosa is a mental health condition and not a "moral failing" or a "lifestyle choice," you can be better prepared to support your loved one. Understanding the nature of eating disorders will help you be more caring and compassionate toward the person. You will recognize that their symptoms and behaviors result from a legitimate medical condition that requires treatment.
Treating anorexia isn't just about restoring physical health—addressing underlying mental disorders is also crucial.
Be prepared to express concern
When you're ready to talk about your concerns with a friend or family member, it is helpful if you have prepared what you will say. For example, you might rehearse the conversation with another loved one or write some talking points you'd like to address during your conversation.2 This might help you to remain calm during the conversation.
When you do sit down to talk with your loved one about your concerns, it is helpful if you are prepared with specific examples of behavior that concerns you. For example, you might mention that you have noticed that your loved one has been restricting intake or suddenly has significantly low body weight, or perhaps you have noticed that they are spending so much time exercising that they no longer spend time with the children or participate in activities they used to enjoy.
Coming to the conversation with examples of specific concerns not only helps your loved one to understand that you care; it also limits their ability to brush off or deny your concerns. You may be met with some resistance, but if you can provide evidence of your concerns, your loved one may be more likely to listen. Be conscious and respectful of their boundaries. If they aren't in a space where they are ready to talk about their eating habits or aren't able to talk to you about it, be understanding of those boundaries as well.
Show your support and understanding
Perhaps the most beneficial way to help a loved one is by expressing your desire to support them. Maybe your loved one will not be willing to talk or accept help during your first conversation, but telling them that you support them and are available to talk can make a significant difference. Something as simple as communicating, "I am here for you when you're ready to talk," can open the door to your loved one making changes.
Perhaps the most beneficial way to help a loved one is by expressing your desire to support
them. Maybe your loved one will not be willing to talk or accept help during your first
conversation, but telling them that you support them and are available to talk can make a
significant difference.
Show your loved one that you're willing to participate in family therapy and that they're not alone.
Something as simple as communicating, "I am here for you when you're ready to talk," can open the door to your loved one making changes.
One of the best ways to express your support is to tell your loved one there is no shame in seeking help. They may deny that they have a problem, or perhaps they are worried about negative judgment. Remove some of the stigma by reminding them that anorexia is a mental health disorder and they deserve treatment.2
Encourage them to seek help
Ultimately, a person who has an eating disorder should seek treatment so they can receive the professional interventions for anorexia nervosa that are needed to overcome the disorder. A professional intervention will help treat eating disorder symptoms and address any medical issues resulting from anorexia. Encouraging your loved one to enter treatment or see a therapist is important. You might even offer to help them make the first call to schedule an intake appointment.
Treating anorexia from home
Learn more about online anorexia nervosa treatment options.
Get connected with a mental health professional, registered dietitians, nutritionists,
and other eating disorder specialists. In addition, you can attend therapy sessions from the
comfort of your own home, including group therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and more.
Treatment as a medical intervention for anorexia nervosa
With quality treatment, people with anorexia nervosa can overcome the eating disorder and live healthy, meaningful lives. Research has shown that inpatient care is effective for increasing weight restoration when outpatient treatment hasn't helped or the person is experiencing medical complications.3
Within offers a compassionate virtual eating disorder treatment program for those who cannot access in-person treatment. You can receive comprehensive treatment services from your care team, consisting of psychiatrists, nurses, dietitians, and therapists, without ever leaving home. Read about our revolutionary treatment program to learn more.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Eating disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
How to help a loved one. (2021, August 27). National Eating Disorders Association. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
