Conversations with People and Their Eating Disorder
By Hattie Rowe
West Virginia University
Talking with a person who has an eating disorder might look different than other conversations. For instance, using words that directly reference appearance can be triggering for those with eating disorders. It has been shown that women with eating disorders spend longer time focusing on words that deal with appearance in comparison to women who do not meet the criteria for an eating disorder (Myers, Ridolfi, & Crowther, 2015). While in everyday conversation you may not notice certain phrases as triggering, people with eating disorders are more sensitive to the type of language directed at them in conversation.
A person with disordered eating may experience an “eating disorder voice” taking over the true identity of the person. It’s helpful to identify these two, conflicting selves. When engaging in conversation, addressing both “selves” or “voices” can help you discern who it is you are really speaking to.
When talking with a loved one who seems hostile, don’t let the “eating disorder voice” control the conversation. Try to remember that the person to whom you are speaking with is struggling with an internal battle that may cause them to be defensive. The goal for quality conversation with a person who has an eating disorder is to speak to their true self. Use empathy, patience, and love to speak to the voice that wants to recover. Although you may be feeling overwhelmed, the eating disorder voice can thrive off of this fear and turn it into your loved one feeling persecuted. It is best to have a conversation after you have prepared yourself and are in a good place emotionally.
Choosing certain words or statements over others might seem miniscule, but it can actually make a big difference in patient recovery. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA),
Here are some general tips on how to have conversations about food, body, and concerns with a patient or loved one who has an eating disorder.
References:
Farrar, T. (2014). Approaching Someone With An Eating Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.mirror-mirror.org/approach.htm
Guarda, A. (2019). Expert Q & A: Eating Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/expert-q-and-a
Myers, T. A., Ridolfi, D. R., & Crowther, J. H. (2015). Reaction times to appearance-related or non-appearance-related word choice among women with and without eating psychopathology. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39(2), 204–214. https://doi-org.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/10.1007/s10608-014-9653-5
How to start a discussion with someone you think might have bulimia nervosa. (2018, February 20). Retrieved from https://bulimiaguide.org/ways-to-start-a-discussion-with-someone-who- might-have-bn/