Counselling for guardians and companions, as well as Family Counselling, is helpful when a close relative, or a person you care about, displays worrying eating behaviour, especially if she / he refuses any help, becomes distant and shuts herself / himself off. In this case, appropriate expert support is required. Getting help from our specialists in our counselling and psychotherapeutic centre is the best way to manage the situation as painlessly and effectively as possible.
Things to do if you suspect that a loved one is facing an eating disorder:
- talk to the person about your concerns since she / he needs to learn that you are worried because you care
- encourage the person to admit her / his problem
- if the person denies your help, do not panic, as denial is a basic feature of eating disorders.
- it is important that you are not let down by your beloved person’s negative attitude, as she / he may eventually agree to come with you to a meeting with a specialist
- if the person persistently refuses your offer for expert help, then it is best that you educate yourself as much as possible (counselling you receive from our centre’s experts will enlighten you and guide you to learn how to better manage your loved one).
- do not be re-assured when the person tells you that she / he has overcome the problem, that she / he will try harder or that he will get better because, even if she / he believes it, eating disorders are not cured from one moment to the next
- be there whenever the person needs to talk to you and don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings with her / him
What to do if the person admits that they have a problem and asks for help:
- learn as much as you can about eating disorders
- once the person accepts treatment, stay close and support her / him
- listen to the person whenever she / he needs to talk to you and continue to share your thoughts and feelings with her / him
- remove scales, diet books andcalorie counters which may fuel the problem and be cautious on the kind of food you bring home
- avoid commenting on the body (e.g., shape, weight) either of the individual experiencing the eating disorder, on your body or others
- do not criticize the amount of food others eat during meals
- the person with an eating disorder experiences an emotional rollercoaster that is expressed through a problematic eating behaviour, so try to be close to the personality behind the disorder and express your love