How Can YOU Reach out for Help?

- The first step to recovery is recognizing that you're struggling. Be sure to steer clear from media that promotes or makes fun of what you could be struggling with.
- When you're ready to seek out help, be sure to confide in someone you know is trustworthy and will be mature about the topic.
- Choose a good time and place to talk with said trusted person. Being in a safe location, being well rested, and having enough time to have a thorough conversation can significantly help with being truthful about your struggle.
- Seek a professional opinion about eating disorders from a doctor or therapist.
- Be completely honest about your problem. Sharing the true extent about your eating disorder to your trusted person can allow them to better help you find a comfortable path to recovery.
- Don't be ashamed of your condition. Eating Disorders can be controlling and make it hard for someone to stop feeling or thinking a certain way.

How Can You Help Someone Who is Struggling?

- Do not urge them to eat or not eat. This can result in the opposite effect and can possibly lead the person to distance themselves from you. Only do so if it is part of a recognized plan for treatment.
- Avoid making any comments that have to do with appearance. It can fuel them to continue with their actions or can seriously damage their perception of themselves.
- Do not guilt-trip or shame them into recovery. Saying things like, "You're not going to eat even after I spent so much time preparing this food for you?", "Eating that much is the reason why you're gaining weight", "Just eat, you're making a big deal out of nothing", "If you don't eat this, then you're eating nothing", and "Just stop eating that, it's disgusting" will not help the person and could cause them to distance themselves and avoid seeking help.
- Avoid showing anger or frustration if they reject your concerns. Yes, you want to help them, yes, they may get defensive, but practicing patience is the first step to creating a safespace for someone to decide to open up to you.
- If they ever decide to open up to you. make sure you really listen to their words, acknowledge their feelings, and steer clear of any judgemental comments.
- If they ever decide to open up to you, do not pretend you know how they feel and avoid venting about your own experiences with the same topic. You may have good intentions with doing so, but it could make them feel that you are making things about yourself or trying to one-up them. :c
- Ask them what you can do to help them instead of providing solutions or telling them what to do.
- If you know that having a conversation with them about this subject is not something you're capable of doing, reach out to another trusted adult or professional to have the conversation with them.

Helplines and Websites

- Can contact the National Eating Disorders Helpline at (800) 931-2237 or text “NEDA” to 741741 for immediate support.
- NEDA - a recognized website with a priority to educate on eating disorders and help people find treatment.
- If the situation is a medical emergency, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.