Do You Know Someone That May Have an Eating Disorder? Remember to ACT NOW.

Not many people know this, but February is National Eating Disorder Awareness month. This month is dedicated to shining the spotlight on eating disorders by educating the public, spreading a message of hope, and putting lifesaving resources into the hands of those in need. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and will affect 30 million Americans at some point in their lives, but unfortunately there is still a large amount of misinformation and lack of proper education about eating disorders that is keeping people from getting the help they need. Paying attention to warning signs and other red flags is a crucial component in getting help early on.

One problem we often see is when parents, friends, or other loved ones do not voice their concerns to an individual that they suspect may be struggling with an eating disorder. Typically this is because they are unsure of how to go about it given the severity of the situation, however it’s still a conversation that is incredibly important to have.

If you have a loved one that you believe has an eating disorder, here is a tool that may help guide the conversation using the acronym ACT NOW.

A - Ask to speak with your loved one privately. This is not a conversation to have at the dinner table, in the middle of class, or in the car on the way to school. This conversation should be done in a safe environment, one-on-one, with plenty of time to dedicate to the discussion.

C - Confront with concern and care. Although your natural reaction may be to approach the conversation with force and urgency due to your concern, it is so important to come into the conversation with a calm demeanor. If the person you are concerned about does not feel safe, they will most likely not open up to you.

T - Tell your loved one what makes you worried. Rather than an accusation of having an eating disorder, it is always better to gently convey your concerns. Phrases such as “I have noticed lately…” and “It’s worrying me” or “Recently you have been _______ and it is concerning me” are less aggressive ways to approach the conversation. These statements lead to a conversation, rather than an accusation.

N - Never continue the conversation if either of you become too emotional. This will most likely be a sensitive conversation for everyone involved. The individual who is struggling may have a lot of shame and sadness around his or her issue, and as the friend or family member you are most likely experiencing an array of feelings as well. So if emotions begin to run high, it is best to leave the conversation where it is and approach it at another time when both parties can communicate effectively.

O - Only professionals can diagnose, so don’t play the role of a therapist or physician. If there has not been a clinical diagnosis of an eating disorder, it can be very destructive to accuse someone of having one. If you suspect an eating disorder, it is best to say you have “noticed disordered eating behaviors” or “suspect a disordered relationship with food and your body.” Once that individual has been professionally evaluated and diagnosed, only then is it okay use those diagnostic terms. 

W - When you end the conversation, tell a medical professional, parent, and/or therapist as soon as possible. This ensures your loved one will get the help they truly need. Also keep in mind it’s not your responsibility to help them get better, as eating disorders are a multi-faceted illness that require medical, dietetic, and therapeutic care.

Remembering to ACT NOW is an easy tool to get the conversation started and ultimately might even save a life.

For more information or if you have further questions/concerns about what to do if a loved one may have an eating disorder, visit our website www.FocusIntegrativeCenters.com or call our office at 865-622-7116.

Written by: Kaitlyn Tucker, MS, RDN, LDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

 

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