What Families Should Know about the Center for Eating Disorders
Many families of those struggling with an eating disorder believe that if the individual would just eat, the problem would disappear. Research and extensive clinical experience suggest this is simply not true. Throughout the recovery process, families may find themselves in one or more of these unhealthy situations:
- Family members often attempt to bribe, bargain, or plead for individuals to eat or stop unhealthy behaviors
- Family members blame themselves for the individual's eating disorder
- They believe the individual truly cannot eat and must be given special treatment within the family
- They begin to see and treat the individual as a chronically ill person, thus reinforcing the role of 'sick patient'
- Family members feel powerless and begin to become angry or controlling
- Parents feel they can no longer parent the individual and begin to withdraw
- Parents begin to disagree with each other, thus increasing conflict within the family
Our program focuses on helping families understand these issues and build a healthier home environment where every individual's needs are considered and respected. We work to involve all family members into our treatment process, which includes family therapy at all levels of care. We offer ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) support group meetings that are open to families and other individuals who support the person struggling with an active eating disorder or those in recovery. These meetings are held at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital on Monday nights from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.
Download a brief Eating Disorder Assessment Questionnaire
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Free Confidential Assessment & Referrals
A counselor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we are committed to prompt attention.
Please call us at 1-800-432-5005.
