Should anorexics be encouraged to diet.
Today I am venturing on Holy ground with anyone who has ever been involved with any anorexic or who has ever had a child that is anorexic. If you have ever had anyone close to you that is anorexic, then generally the word diet becomes another four lettered swear word to you. You hate the very word because of the damage that you see that it has caused in your affected loved one.
Is this the correct feeling to have towards diets. I know it is the natural feeling but is it correct, or should we not perhaps look a little outside the box in our efforts to conquer this eating disorder.
When dealing with anyone who is anorexic or bulimic there are a number of tips that can assist you. One of these tips is the whole concept of fighting fire with fire.
Anorexics and bulimics consider you to be the enemy when it comes to their fight against the evil “Fat” that has invaded their bodies. The fact that you are unable to agree with them and see the fat that is so clearly evident to them, makes you the enemy. You will never be able to influence them whilst you are the enemy. The fight against anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is not a fight against fat or thin, but is in actual fact a fight against perceptions. The inflicted person believes with all their heart and all their soul that their body is fat. By you telling them that they are thin, will not alter their perceptions. By you preventing them from trying to rid themselves from the fat, you have become the enemy and they will fight against you tooth and nail. You need to get into a position of trust with them and slowly alter their perceptions about themselves without them realising that you are manipulating them.
In order to gain their trust, you are going to need to maybe change a little and show more understanding. This does not mean that you agree that they are fat, but means that you try to see things from their viewpoint for a while and listen to what they have to say. When they want to go on a diet, steer them towards a good diet or dieting system. This will show that you are in fact on their side and are helping them. They do not need to know and should not be told that any good diet will make an overweight person lose weight, but will cause an underweight person to gain weight.
Never force them to do anything, including trying to force them to eat. This will only force them to distance themselves from you and they will find ways to purge themselves of the food consumed. Anorexics and bulimics tend to binge occasionally and you should actively help them to overcome this trait which will further entrench you as being on their side and as being their friend who wants to help them.
Although it may not be clearly evident to someone from the outside, these people are screaming out for attention, love and understanding. The more that you are able to provide these three to them, the closer they become to overcoming their eating disorder.
