Supporting a loved one going through eating disorder recovery is difficult, but it's very important. It will be confusing, emotional, and sometimes frustrating, but a healthy support system is crucial in ED recovery, and Nourished Minds is beyond happy to help you navigate this journey. First, we want to acknowledge and affirm that it is okay to be distressed and upset about what your loved one is going through. It is not easy to watch someone you care about struggle. With that said, it is important that you are mindful of how you handle your personal feelings about it when interacting with them. Often times what your loved one needs won't make sense to you, and that's okay. Eating disorders are complicated and if you've never experienced it then it's impossible to know what it's like. There are many ways you can support your loved one, and we've listed some resources for you to reference below. However, everyone experiences EDs differently and we encourage you to ask your loved one's treatment provider how best to support them in their unique recovery experience.
A great book to deepen understanding of what your loved one is going through.
A good choice for parents struggling with nutrition at home for a child with and eating disorder.
A website with plenty of resources and guidance on what steps to take if you're concerned about a loved one.
Another great website with recommendations for ways to support.
A fantastic podcast by The Renfrew Center. Episode 2 specifically discusses supporting a loved one.
This podcast is aimed toward individuals struggling with an eating disorder themselves, but learning about what your loved one might be experiencing can enhance your ability to support them.
Nourished Minds
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