Showing Acceptance and Providing Support
At first it may be difficult to accept once you find out that your troubled teen is struggling with an eating disorder, but try as you might not to point fingers. Your initial reaction to your teenager’s disorder can play a significant role in his/her treatment.
In fact, it can even make or break his/her initial steps toward wellness. As much as possible you want to show your troubled teen your support at a time like this. An eating disorder thrives on negativity, and any more negative feelings that may come from a parent can worsen the already negative atmosphere a teen with an eating disorder lives in.
It’s not right to suppress whatever emotions you may truly feel as parent after finding out that your teen is afflicted with an eating disorder, but you may choose to discuss them with the other parent at a time and place where your child may not be adversely affected by whatever negative reactions you may have.
Most of all, it would be wrong to place blame on your teenager for having an eating disorder. He/she is in a situation wherein his/her need for control amid the chaos he/she may be feeling in life, actually leaves him/her with a complete lack of control. This is the sad irony that a teen suffering from an eating disorder must face, and placing blame on your teen will not help.
Surround your teen with a positive atmosphere
What you want to try to do is surround your troubled teen with a positive atmosphere. As a parent, you are aiming to combat against the controlling negativity of the eating disorder mind-set and replace it with positive reaffirmation. Positive reaffirmation actually has an important role in the treatment of a teen struggling with an eating disorder.
By reaffirming your teenager, you are increasing the chances that once he/she stares back at his/her reflection in the mirror he/she may not listen to that negative voice in his/her head that may be saying that he/she is not worthy. Another point to keep in mind is to nurture the value of patience. It will not be easy to guide your teenager through the path of wellness, but you must not let your support wane. By keeping your positive reaffirmation alive, bit by bit the loud voice of negativity in his/her head will diminish to a whisper, until finally what shall remain is your positive voice of endearment and love.
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