An eating disorder is a mental illness that can be extremely difficult to experience. It’s not only trying for the person with the eating disorder, but also for their loved ones. Eating disorders are more common than you think. In fact, about one in five young women will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their life. These diseases are usually triggered by stressors, such as family issues, peer pressure, and personal problems, and can be manifested as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. An individual suffering from an eating disorder may have a hard time trusting others, especially if they have been hurt in the past. Their trust issues may also make it harder for them to open up about their struggles and seek help sooner when necessary. Here are some struggles of living with someone who has an eating disorder:
You’ll feel like you can’t help them.
Living with someone who has an eating disorder can make you feel helpless at times. You want to be there for them and help them get better, but you may not know exactly how. You may feel like you need to step in and help, but they may push you away because they don’t want to be “fixed,” or they may not even realize they have a problem. In these moments, it’s important to try and remain calm. You can’t help them if you’re stressed out too. Let them know that it’s OK and that you’re here to help. Showing them love and support is always the right thing to do.
Living with a person suffering from an eating disorder can be extremely stressful.
Many people with eating disorders don’t seek treatment because they don’t feel like they have a problem. They may not view themselves as “sick enough” or needing help, which can make living with them even more difficult. You may feel like you’re walking on eggshells around them out of fear of saying the wrong thing and triggering them. You may feel like you can’t be yourself around them or like you need to pretend to be someone you’re not just to make them feel better. This can be extremely stressful and can damage your relationships with others in the long run.
You may worry about their physical and mental health.
People with eating disorders often have a hard time taking care of their bodies and their mental health. You may worry that they don’t eat enough or that they’re not getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy. You may also worry that they will hurt themselves if there have been safety concerns. You may also worry that their eating disorder will get worse and become even more serious and dangerous.
You will feel overburdened by responsibilities.
Living with someone with an eating disorder can add a lot of responsibilities and stress to your life. You may feel like you need to monitor their diet, their exercise habits, and their mental health. You may feel like you need to make sure they eat enough and that they don’t skip meals or not eat healthfully. You may also feel like you need to keep track of how much time they spend on their phone or computer, or how much time they spend exercising. You may feel like you need to keep tabs on their social media interactions too.
Your loved one may use you as a coping mechanism.
People with eating disorders often rely on their loved ones for emotional support and as a coping tool. They may use you to distract themselves from their problems, use you as a sounding board for their issues, yet struggle to consistently want to address the eating disorder.
Living with someone who has an eating disorder can be difficult and stressful. It can be more challenging if the individual does not want help, or does not realize there is a problem. You can help your loved ones by being there for them when they need it, but also by setting healthy boundaries. It is important for them to know you love and support them, and are there to help when they are ready.
