Staying Strong

Everyday in our clinic I am reminded of how important families and loved ones are in the recovery process. I am convinced that recovery happens more often and more quickly when patients have a support system actively engaged in their treatment. People struggling with eating disorder need to know that there is someone in their lives that will walk this path with them. For the person suffering, the path seems too scary or overwhelming. The thought of doing it alone is simply too much. The idea of someone being by their side through the ups and downs of recovery gives them some reassurance that they can do it and when they stumble someone will be there to help them up. When I have asked people who have recovered from eating disorders what helped them the most, the overwhelming answer is that they had someone they could rely on through the entire process. A person who would console them when they were sad and hold them accountable when they needed a push. Don't underestimate the importance of your role in your loved one's recovery. Even though she or he may not admit this, you are a very important part of the process of healing.

Comments

[Laura Collins]

Parents and caregivers can't hear this message often enough - thank you!

It is so easy to feel alienated and confused and pushed out, just when we need to step up and engage.

[Tony Paulson]

I think as we learn more about eating disorders and how to properly treat them we are becoming more aware of the importance of the family in this process. Instead of excluding families from treatment, which still happens, we need to include them from the very beginning.