Eating disorders are tricky. In one sense, they are like any other illness in that a person never chooses to be afflicted, despite stigmas that may suggest otherwise. But on the other hand, they?re also a bit of an enigma, because beyond treating any resulting medical complications and addressing the psychological roots of the disorder, a person must find it within him or herself to actively choose to get well, rather than being passively healed. But making that choice is often one of the most difficult parts of the whole process, and there?s really only one thing that makes it a tad easier: support.
Depending on the person, however, support can take many forms. Personally, the tough love approach has always worked best for me. When I was at my sickest, a few of my close friends intervened even though they knew it could potentially violate my trust. Now, of course, I am forever grateful to their persistence, and always say it?s better to risk losing a friendship than a friend. Different approaches work for different people, though, so we polled experts and women in recovery on various ways you can help a friend who may be struggling. ?When I was struggling with an eating disorder, I lost myself. I wasn?t the girl my friends knew. Remember that your friend is so much more than just someone with an eating disorder. Remind them of the things they are good at and help them continue to focus their energy on following their passions. Reassure your friend that you will always be ...