Reviewed by Joseph Goldberg, MD
Caring for someone with binge eating disorder is a big responsibility, but it can also have big rewards.
You can help your loved one get well. To be the best possible caregiver, you need to learn:
- What to expect during the recovery process
- How to offer your loved one encouragement
These tips can help you get started.
Educate Yourself
Read as much as you can about binge eating disorder. Ask your loved one's treatment team for information and advice: For starters, what type of treatment does he or she need? Learn the difference between outpatient therapy and inpatient therapy.
"I think the best thing that caregivers can do is learn as much as they can about eating disorders, to understand where they come from and how they impact lives, and to know that they can be cured," says Abigail Natenshon. She's a licensed social worker and psychotherapist in Highland Park, IL, who specializes in eating disorders. She's also the author of When Your Child Has an Eating Disorder: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Parents and Other Caregivers.
Don't Judge
People who binge eat often feel alone and ashamed of their food habits. They usually feel bad about their bodies, too.
Let your loved one know you understand what they're going through. Tell them you're committed to helping them get better -- when they're ready.
Also, learn what you shouldn't say, since even certain statements intended to be positive (“You look fine,” for example) might be taken as criticism.
"The biggest thing is to not be judgmental," says Debra Safer, MD. She's the co-director of the eating disorders program at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Let your loved one know you have a great deal of compassion, she says.
Also let them know you're behind them every step of the way. "The message [to the patient] needs to be that this is fixable, and there is good professional help out there. You can do whatever it will take to heal," Natenshon says.
Talk Together
Talk to your loved one about the eating disorder. Together you can find solutions.
source : How to Care for Someone With Binge Eating Disorder
