In this case, all you have to do is show your spouse unconditional love and support. Simply put, it is very common when a person affected by this disease engages in behaviors such as dieting and obsessively counting calories to ameliorate dissatisfaction. DO show your spouse unconditional loveĪ relationship with someone with an eating disorder might be complicated because they place a high value on their body shape and weight when determining their self-worth. So, if your partner has extreme disturbances in eating behaviors, try to avoid activities involving food when with them. Should I leave her?”įortunately, the man noticed the signs that his girlfriend had an eating disorder in time and offered psychological help to his significant other. That’s when I received a message from him saying, “My girlfriend has an eating disorder. But the last straw was when the woman got angry at her man for buying her a giant birthday cake. Several months ago, I was counseling a couple who had many interpersonal conflicts ruining their relationships. For people struggling with eating disorders, these activities can be extremely triggering. Most people do not feel any stress when it comes to a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day or a date at a fancy restaurant. DO avoid activities involving foodĪnother helpful recommendation on how to help your partner with an eating disorder is avoiding food-related activities requiring your partner’s participation. Keep in mind that eating disorder family support is one of the critical elements on the way to recovery. Instead, simply ask them with gentleness and empathy how you can help. DO communicate with your partnerĪs you know, talking opens the door to healing, right? Even though mental illness carries a stigma that makes most people feel uncomfortable talking about their condition, we still need to create a space where they can share what they are going through.ĭo not force your partner to speak about their battles in detail. By getting acquainted with this illness, you will be able to bring light into your life with a loved one. Currently, there’s an abundance of research, support groups, and books providing information on how to support a spouse with an eating disorder. So, before taking any action, make sure to educate yourself on this topic. In reality, an eating disorder is not a choice it is a severe condition that develops due to a combination of biological factors and genetics. But is this information enough to support your partner in their struggle or recovery?ĭid you know that eating disorders have the highest risk of death of any mental illness? Were you aware that only 1 in 10 people with an eating disorder ever receives treatment?įor example, one of my clients recently accused his wife suffering from an eating disorder of making up this illness to attract more attention. DO educate yourself before taking actionĬonsidering that mental health issues are widespread and found in every community, country, and continent, you’ve probably heard about eating disorders. If you want to help your partner and prevent them from damaging their health, consider this list of dos and don’ts I have developed based on my professional experience. In other words, an eating disorder is a severe mental health condition rather than an unhealthy dietary habit. But the worst thing is that these individuals often feel alone and misunderstood.īased on my psychological practice, most individuals diagnosed with eating disorders use food to cope with and handle unpleasant feelings. People affected by this illness tend to have extreme eating behaviors, from following rigid diets to binging on food in secret. Living with a partner who has an eating disorder can be very challenging and emotional.
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