For Families

You are here because you’re concerned about someone you care about, and it is wonderful that you are trying to get them some help. An eating disorder is essentially an unhealthy relationship with food, and/or how someone perceives their body. Often those suffering have been trying to manipulate their food or weight in effort to feel better or more in control. You probably want to know what kinds of signs or symptoms to look for, and how to help them get treatment.

These are the Signs to Look For

If you’ve noticed that your loved one has been skipping meals, taking smaller portions, or avoiding eating with others, then they may be developing an unhealthy relationship with food. Often, those suffering can come up with convincing excuses not to eat (not hungry, just ate, feeling ill, etc.) to try and avoid dealing with the underlying causes that are contributing to their relationship with food. For a more comprehensive list of warning signs, click here.

Eating disorders affect men and women

While eating disorders are promoted as a predominantly female concern, males may experience an even greater sense of shame and embarrassment around their food and body image issues. The behaviors can present differently than in females (i.e. weight gain/definition versus weight loss, brought on by bullying), and men are more likely to exercise compulsively and to obsess over attaining a low body fat percentage or excelling at a sport.

If your loved one has issues with food and their body, encourage them to seek help before it develops into a full-blown eating disorder. While there is no perfect way to encourage someone to seek treatment, it is best to support and encourage without enabling their disordered behaviors. Focus on current stressors and help in an encouraging way so that they do not think something is "wrong" with them. For more advice as well as some helpful do’s and dont’s for families of patients, read Dr. Lyndsay’s Tips located on this page.

Help them get treatment

If someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, you may contact Dr. Lyndsay for an initial consultation. She is a caring and compassionate therapist, and together, you will discuss the best course for treatment and recovery.