When speaking to a friend with an eating disorder, it’s important to be sensitive, understanding, and supportive. Eating disorders can be so isolating and involve feelings of shame. There are certain things that you should avoid saying in order to prevent inadvertently causing harm or discomfort to your friend when they are telling you about their ED. Here are our tips for navigating a conversation like this:
1. “Just eat more/less”: Avoid oversimplifying the situation by suggesting that eating more or less will solve their problems. Eating disorders are complex mental health issues that require professional help to address.
2. “You look so skinny/healthy now”: Commenting on their appearance, even if you think it’s positive, can be triggering. Focus on their well-being and feelings rather than their appearance.
3. “Why can’t you just stop?”: Eating disorders are not a matter of willpower or choice. They are serious mental health conditions that often require professional treatment to overcome.
4. “I wish I had your discipline”: Implying that their behavior is due to discipline can reinforce negative beliefs about their self-worth being tied to their eating habits.
5. “I know how you feel”: Even if you have experienced similar struggles, everyone’s experience with an eating disorder is unique. Instead of assuming, focus on listening and being empathetic.
6. “Can’t you just eat normally?”: Asking them to eat “normally” can be dismissive of the challenges they are facing. Eating disorders involve complex psychological factors that influence their relationship with food.
7. “You’re overreacting”: Minimizing their experience or feelings can be hurtful and make them less likely to open up to you.
8. “You’re just seeking attention”: Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, and suggesting that they’re seeking attention can invalidate their struggles.
9. “Have you tried this diet?”: Recommending diets or weight loss plans can exacerbate their preoccupation with food and body image. It’s best to avoid discussing diets altogether.
10. “You’re not thin enough to have an eating disorder”: Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. Avoid making comparisons or judgments about their appearance.
11. “You’re making me worry/stressed/upset”: While it’s natural for you to have feelings about their situation, avoid making their struggles about you. This might make them feel guilty for their own challenges.
12. “You just need to gain/lose weight”: Weight-focused comments can reinforce their unhealthy preoccupation with weight and body image.
13. “You should just eat what I’m eating”: Comparing your own eating habits can be unhelpful and imply that their issues are easily solved.
14. “I heard this person got better without treatment”: Comparing their situation to someone else’s can create unrealistic expectations and minimize the importance of seeking professional help.
Remember, your role is to be a supportive and empathetic friend. Focus on listening, understanding, and encouraging them to seek professional help if they haven’t already. Avoid providing advice on treatment unless you’re a mental health professional. It’s okay to admit if you don’t fully understand what they’re going through and to offer your willingness to learn and support them.
FIND FREEDOM FOR EAST DISORDERS FOR WOMEN IN BROOKLYN & MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
At Manhattan Wellness, we understand that your relationship with food can be complicated. With all the messages and images we are bombarded with on social media, it can be difficult to navigate a positive relationship with food. That’s why our female therapists want to support you in tackling your eating disorder with compassion and care. Let us help you create an empowering narrative that will benefit all aspects of your life. If you are interested in beginning counseling for women:
- Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
- Learn More About Our Team and Our Areas of Expertise
- Prioritize Your Maternal Mental Health!
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES AT MANHATTAN WELLNESS IN MANHATTAN, WESTCHESTER, BROOKLYN & THROUGHOUT NEW YORK
Our therapists understand that life in New York City is not always easy, and that other issues can come up along the way. To better support you, we offer a variety of services to cater to your individual needs. The therapy services we offer are Therapy for Self Esteem, Anxiety Treatment, and therapy for dating and relationship issues. As well as therapy for college students, support for maternal mental health, body image therapy, and so much more. Are you feel like you’re not living the life you want and need to make changes? Let’s talk about it.
