When you encourage alternative behaviors such as exercise, make sure you’re not giving permission to do this in excess. Keep an eye on the situation and utilize a treatment team for consultation and decision-making. Keep your own emotions in check. It’s easy to get freaked out by the idea that your child has an eating disorder. Sufferers of eating disorders are often sneaky and manipulative. Your child will not see things clearly and will try to avoid intervention. So trust your instincts and be supportive yet firm.
The greatest resource for children with an eating disorder is often their parents. Don’t minimize the amount of positive influence family may have on the struggling family member. Help your child see that she/he is more than an eating disorder. Helping them to understand and see that their identity is separate from Bulimia is paramount. It’s hard to fight against yourself; it’s much easier to fight against a behavior. The good news is that eating disorders are treatable. The sooner the person enters treatment, the higher the success rates. However, it’s imperative that you find a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and a medical team that is equipped at assessing for safety both physically and mentally. These professionals usually can be found through a resource list at your doctor’s office or local university’s health center.
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