Month: October 2020

10 Things NOT to Say About an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are complicated! Trust us. We know first-hand how complex they can be. There are also many eating disorder types and they all present differently. Some cause a person to restrict their food and others cause them to binge. There are also eating disorders that manifest as counting calories, only eating organic and vegan foods, and even completely avoiding certain foods like carbs. Talking to someone who is struggling with or recovering from an eating disorder can be difficult if you aren’t sure what to say.

You might be afraid that something you say could offend or trigger them, and to be honest, that’s a valid concern. There are certain topics and statements you should avoid in order to have a healthy and helpful conversation with your loved one who is struggling.

But don’t worry! We’re here to help you avoid potential triggers so that you can support your loved one in a caring and judgement-free way. We also have an article with 10 ways to support someone with an eating disorder to help you out even more.

1. “You’re really thin” or “You’ve gained some weight”

Repeat after me… “I will not comment on someone’s weight, like ever.” While you should never comment on someone’s weight, it’s extra important to avoid the topic when someone’s struggling with an eating disorder. Those who restrict their food can gain some satisfaction from hearing others notice their weight loss. 

People with binge-eating disorders will often gain weight and can feel a lot of shame associated with their new body. Hearing others notice these changes can be really hurtful and triggering for them.

So, be mindful when you talk to someone about how their body looks. Even though you might not understand their complicated relationship with food, comments like this can hurt that relationship even more.

2. “You don’t look fat to me. I think you look healthy!”

People with restrictive eating disorders often don’t see the word “healthy” as a positive thing. “Healthy,” in the ears of someone who restricts their food is a negative word and can scare them into restricting more because it’s often associated with weight gain.

Telling someone who restricts their food that you don’t think they look fat doesn’t mean anything to them. Most of the time, the only thing that matters to them is how they see themselves. They also might not be restricting just to lose weight. There might be other factors influencing their eating disorder that you might not be aware of. If you can avoid it, don’t comment on their weight at all.

3. “What you’re doing is hurting me.”

Your loved one is going through an emotionally painful time and their intent is likely not to hurt you. Centering the conversation around yourself and your emotions isn’t as effective as listening to what your loved one feels and needs.

Instead, make the conversation about them, how they feel, and what they’re going through. Because they’re going through A LOT! Mention how much you love and care for this person because, at the end of the day, that’s really the point you want to get across.

4. “Why don’t you just eat something?”

If only it were that simple! People with eating disorders WISH that they could just eat a banana or just eat a burger. They really do! But when a person has a restrictive eating disorder, food becomes the enemy. Mental blocks and barriers are created around food and they are extremely difficult to overcome. 

While eating large and delicious meals might be something you look forward to, someone with an eating disorder will dread it. They can feel overwhelmed with the pressure of eating and even struggle to eat in front of others.

There is a lot of pain and emotions in the mind of a person with an eating disorder. Sadly, it’s never as simple as “just eating something.”

5. “Why can’t you just stop eating?”

Just like restrictive eating disorders, telling someone with a binge-eating disorder to stop eating isn’t as simple as it sounds. People with binge-eating disorders often feel a lack of control when it comes to food. There isn’t a simple way to stop. They often feel trapped and are going through intense emotional struggles. If they felt like they had the power to stop having an eating disorder, they would. Unfortunately, it is a complex mental health condition that takes a lot of time and effort to recover from.  

6. “You either eat (/stop eating) OR…”

Ultimatums might seem like a good negotiation tactic, but unfortunately, they can do more harm than good.

A person with an eating disorder is already under enough pressure from themselves and they don’t need any extra stressors in their life. Sometimes people with eating disorders are triggered by stress or intense emotions, so avoid putting them into taxing situations that can cause them to further isolate themselves and be afraid to come forward when they are struggling.

7. “Wow, you look amazing! I wish I had your will power.”

Remember what we said at the beginning of this article? Don’t. Comment. On. Someone’s. Weight. Yes, even when it comes to “compliments.”

This can give them the validation that their restriction and dieting techniques are working, and statements like this encourage their eating disorder–and that’s the opposite of what we want to do.

8. “Isn’t that too many calories?”

People who have binge-eating disorders are often very aware of the amount of food they’re eating. There can be a lot of shame around eating, especially eating in front of people, so make sure that you keep comments like this to yourself because it takes a lot of courage to eat in front of others when you’re struggling with an eating disorder.

9. “You’re too fat to have an eating disorder.”

Anyone at any size can have an eating disorder. Medical professionals can sometimes dismiss a patient because they don’t think that the patient is thin enough to have one. But if someone is restricting their food, it doesn’t matter what size they are. They aren’t receiving the nutrients they need. Remember, weight is not an indication of a healthy relationship to food. Anyone can have an eating disorder.

10. “Should you be eating that?”

If a person with restrictive eating disorders is eating anything, and I mean ANYTHING, don’t comment on it. It takes a lot of courage and strength (think Hercules) to eat something, especially eating something in front of others. They also likely already have a list of “safe” and “fear” foods in their mind, and they might be branching out from that list and facing their fear foods.

Comments like this can trigger your loved one and their perfectionism. They can begin comparing themselves to others, go back to their old ways, and keep restricting if they aren’t given the kind of loving support that they need.

If they’re eating a type of food that you think is unhealthy, who cares? They’re eating something and that’s all that matters. And you know what? *climbs atop our digital soapbox* What someone eats, whether they have a history with an eating disorder or not, does not impact their value as a human being. Someone’s size and weight doesn’t mean that they are any less deserving of love and respect. Also, what someone eats has zero impact on you, your life, and your decisions. Let them eat whatever makes them happy and you can do the same.  

If someone has a binge-eating disorder, they likely have shame and negative emotions when it comes to food. Hearing comments about the food they’re eating can bring them down even more and hurt like hell. So, instead of shaming them, show them empathy and kindness because they’re likely really struggling and could use a little (or a lot) of love.

Be Their Friend the Way They Need You to Be

It might feel like you’re walking on eggshells at first, but trust us, it gets easier! Just make sure that you ask your loved one how you can support them. Listen to what they have to say because it can be a really raw experience opening up to someone about something so painful. There’s a battle going on inside their mind and they’re on the side of both the villain and the hero! But always remind them that you love them, you’re going to be there for them, and that you’re so proud of them for tackling the eating disorder beast! 

How to Choose a Therapist

Do you remember the exact moment you decided to go to therapy? It was probably around the time that you started opening up to your friends about your feelings and letting them in on the emotional struggle. It was also likely around the time you realized you’re not the only one who feels emotionally drained or irritated by little things or too tired to get out of bed. We’re guessing this is also around the time you realized that there’s actually nothing wrong with you…that these feelings affect many other people, including your friends. Regardless of how you arrived at the Google machine, plugging in how to choose a therapist, you’re here now and we’re so proud of you. 

Life is tough. Some days you might feel invincible, and other days you may feel paralyzed by all of the challenges being thrown at you. Learning how to maintain your mental wellbeing throughout these hills and valleys is tough, and you are strong for searching for help. 

Are you excited to talk therapy with us? Let’s dive thru…

What Are the Different Types of Therapists?

You must have a million questions about therapy and this one is likely at the top of the list! We agree it’s a great starting point — with a dozen different titles that sometimes get used interchangeably, it can get pretty confusing. Don’t worry, we’re swooping in to help.

Psychologists

According to the Canadian Psychological Association, psychologists study how people think, feel and behave and then apply their knowledge to help people understand and/or change their behaviour. 

While some psychologists focus primarily on research and work with universities or government organizations, others work as practitioners in hospitals, schools, clinics, or other facilities. It’s not weird if you find a psychologist involved in both research and practice as most of them do both.

In Canada, to become a psychologist you must complete a master’s and/or doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD). This ranges between 6 and 10 years of university, a time during which you’ll pick an area to focus on and specialize your training in. A doctoral degree basically  means extra training and research, which also comes with a “Dr.” title. 

So that’s cool…but how can they actually help you with your mental health? Psychologists who work as practitioners are trained to “assess and diagnose problems in thinking, feeling and behaviour.” They’re experts in a variety of mental health problems, with a great understanding of aspects that determine your behaviour. They can diagnose the role of psychological factors in your life and help you understand them too so that you can solve problems with clarity.

They’re basically superheroes who come into your life to help you identify what the problem is and then help you overcome it. Wait, no, you’re the superhero — they’re your Yoda, your Splinter, your Jarvis, your Gandalf, your Woody, your Dumbledore! 

But they’re not the only ones who can help…keep reading.

Psychiatrists

According to the Canadian Psychiatric Association, psychiatrists are medical doctors who have extensive training in mental health and mental disorders — that includes the causes, the diagnosis, the treatment and the ongoing care of mental disorders. 

These folks have training that allows them to prescribe medication, provide psychotherapeutic treatments, and work with patients directly. Sometimes you’ll see psychiatrists and psychologists work hand-in-hand as they try to find the best treatment and care for their patients.

The difference between the two is that psychiatrists prescribe medication to help their clients manage their mental disorders, and typically don’t provide counselling or psychotherapy. In some cases, medication is very necessary and that’s where psychiatrists will step in. The best way to get a recommendation to see a psychiatrist is to visit your family doctor first and speak with them about your concerns.

Psychotherapists 

Psychotherapists are health-care professionals that work mostly with talk-based therapy to help people on their mental health journey. Under this term, we can include social workers and counsellors. In Canada, not every province has the same counselling/psychotherapy regulations but one certification you can look for is CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor). This designation is recognized by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), which is a national professional body in Canada.

Similar to psychologists and psychiatrists, psychotherapists need to complete certain education requirements before they can receive a CCC designation. A PhD is not required, so psychotherapists will usually hold a master’s in counselling. The thing to remember about this title is that it’s an umbrella term that could cover a range of roles. Always dig for more specific details, like their schooling background and their particular area of practice. 

Counsellors & Social Workers

Another umbrella term, “social worker” could mean several things. The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) defines social work as “concerned with individual and personal problems but also broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and domestic violence.” Depending on the facility or setting where social workers work, their focus and area of therapy expertise will vary.

In the United States, you’ll see titles like LCSW (licensed clinical social worker, fully licensed and credentialed) or LSW (licensed social worker, provisionally licensed). Because regulations vary from province to province, and state to state, it’s up to you to check the educational background and certification of the social worker you are thinking of working with. In Canada, CASW monitors and sets standards of practice for social workers.

Things to Consider Before Going In

The process of choosing a therapist becomes even more intimidating when you learn there are more than 60 different types of therapy…is there a way to know what type of therapy and which therapist are best for you?? 

Yup. Here’s your checklist! Before you book your first session, have a phone consultation with your potential therapist and go through these items. Ask any and all questions that come up for you and don’t be scared to probe for more details.

1. Approach to Treatment

While this is a super simplified overview version of theoretical approaches, it will give you an idea of what to look for. Ask the therapist you’re hoping to work with what their theoretical orientation is. What that tells you is their philosophy as it applies to understanding you, and identifying and solving problems. Their theoretical orientation will inform the overall focus of your sessions and guide the session goals.

The American Psychological Association lists the following approaches of psychotherapy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s worth noting that different modalities are best for treating specific challenges. For example, someone who has a borderline diagnosis will likely do well with DBT therapy, rather than psychoanalytic.

Another resource we’ll recommend checking out is the Canadian Psychological Association’s fact sheets that dive thru mental health issues in detail. These fact sheets break down complex issues in a way that is easy to understand. If you’re looking for information you can trust, this is a great guide.

2. Credentials & Education

We’ve already mentioned this but we’re going to say it one more time. It’s important to check the credentials of any therapist you’re hoping to work with. The words “therapist” and “counsellor” are unregulated terms so don’t rely on those words as your guarantee.

Mental health professionals dedicate so much time and effort to their education because they know that’s what it takes to help someone when it comes to their mental health. To check their credentials, simply ask them to detail their qualifications and explain what that means in terms of schooling. You can also contact the professional body they’re a member of and verify the information that way.

3. Good Fit

Depending on what you’re hoping to dive thru with your therapist, you should consider if they are the right “fit” for you. Are you at a place right now where you need someone who is more supportive? Are you needing someone more direct who will ask the tough questions? 

Another aspect to consider is gender. You should be comfortable with your therapist and feel like you can trust them with your personal thoughts and feelings. If you do feel a strong aversion to working with one gender, don’t be ashamed to choose another. We all have past experiences that may in some way be related to gender and that’s not something to be guilty about. Choose what’s best for you.

The same goes for age and sexual identity. These two factors might also be considered when choosing your therapist if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Here are some other questions to ask when choosing a therapist:

  • What is your area of expertise or your specialty? What’s your approach to treatment?
  • Have you worked with people that have gone through similar issues to mine?
  • What are the most common concerns you usually work with?
  • How would you evaluate our progress in therapy?
  • Are you now or have you ever been in therapy?
  • How long are sessions and what is the typical charge for one session?
  • Do you have different payment structures available? (sliding scale/fixed cost/subsidized by gov’t)
  • Are there any resources that would help me with the cost?
  • Do you offer support in between sessions?
  • Do you assign homework or exercises in between sessions?

Where Do You Find Therapists in Your Region?

YAY for the advent of the internet and the way it has helped us reach things faster and easier. We’ll be giving you a few resources that will make choosing a therapist a breeze.

First up, if you’re in Canada you can use the CCPA database to find a certified counsellor. The search box gives you a ton of options to filter and narrow your search to exactly what you need. If you’re in Edmonton or within Alberta, you can also go through the DiveThru questionnaire to find the right fit for you.

If you’re not reading this from Canada, we’ve still got your back. Take a look at Psychology Today’s database of verified therapists available around the world. It’s super easy to filter down based on types of therapy, types of issues, and even price.

Psych Central also has their own database that can help you find the right therapist for you.

7 Tips From a Therapist, About Finding a Therapist

**gets off soapbox and hands the mic over**

It’s time to hear from one of our superheroes. Our in-house mental health professional, LCSW Natalie Asayag, wants to give you some tips on how to pick a therapist:

1. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and communicate your reservations or worries about therapy. If the therapists you are vetting are unwilling to answer your questions or seem impatient, this is not a good sign.”

2. “Each therapist is so different. Ask the therapist what sessions are like — are they strictly structured, does the patient guide the session, etc.” 

3. “Inquire about the type of therapy practiced by the therapist. If needed, tell them to break it down in layman’s terms.”

4. “It usually takes about three sessions to start building a rapport with your therapist. It can be really uncomfortable to be open and vulnerable and it’s so admirable that you are putting yourself out there!”

5. “If it feels safe to do so, talk to your friends and family. Word of mouth can be one of the best ways to find a quality therapist. “

6. “If someone doesn’t seem quite like the right fit or they don’t have any openings, inquire if they can offer you referrals.”

7. “Communicate what you would like from your work together. Would you like an open space to vent and cope with daily life? Would you like to get to the root of an issue? Or would you like to change a specific behaviour? It’s helpful for a therapist to have some insight regarding your goals. If you don’t quite know, that’s okay. You can say that and then you can both work together to determine what works best for you.”

You’ve Had Your First Session, Now What?

Well, the first question we’re going to ask you is how did it make you feel?

What thoughts and feelings and sensations came up during the session? Did you feel heard? Did you feel like your boundaries were respected? At any point in time, did you start to feel uncomfortable or awkward or uncertain? Did any red flags or potential ethical issues come up?

Grab a notebook and take the time to reflect on the experience! You’re about to make an important decision that will shape out the course of your therapy. Make sure you have answers to all these questions above before you decide to continue with your current therapist or consult someone else.

Also — congratulations on the decision to seek out therapy. We think that’s pretty f*cking badass.

10 Sober Celebrities Open Up About Their Recovery

Addiction is a gruelling and complicated issue. Regardless of what instigates the first use, addiction is influenced by factors like genetics, psychological history, trauma, life experiences, and coping skills to name a few. The list doesn’t end there…mental health disorders, high stress, and a lack of support systems are also known to impact the onset of addiction. It can be an isolating journey for some and that can make recovery a much harder battle. For others, like sober celebrities in recovery, the journey is publicized and exposed…which, you guessed it, is also hard AF.

We’re writing this article with only one purpose. For those of you currently in recovery, we want you to know you’re not alone. We want you to know that even though your sobriety journey seems impossible, you have what it takes to make it. 

But you don’t have to take our word for it…let’s hear from the people who have been in your shoes and fought your fight. These 10 public figures and celebrities in recovery have a few words to pass along.

Bradley Cooper

“Anytime you’re trying to tell the truth you need to go to places and use things that have happened to you, or you’ve read about or experienced. And that’s all part of the beauty of turning whatever things you’ve gone through into a story. I find that to be very cathartic. All the insecurities, all the dark stuff — you get to use that and that’s really the truth.”

Zac Efron

“It’s a never-ending struggle. I was drinking a lot, way too much. And it’s never one specific thing — I mean, you’re in your 20s, single, going through life in Hollywood, you know? Everything is thrown at you. I wouldn’t take anything back; I needed to learn everything I did. But it was an interesting journey, to say the least.”

Oprah

“I relate to your story so much. I have done this drug. So I know exactly what you’re talking about. And that is my life’s great big secret that has always been held over my head. I had a perfect, round, little Afro, I went to church every Sunday and I went to Wednesday prayer meeting when I could … and I did drugs.”

Russell Brand

“It is 10 years since I used drugs or drank alcohol and my life has improved immeasurably. The price of this is constant vigilance because the disease of addiction is not rational. […] Don’t pick up a drink or drug, one day at a time. It sounds simple. It actually is simple but it isn’t easy: it requires incredible support and fastidious structuring. Not to mention that the whole infrastructure of abstinence-based recovery is shrouded in necessary secrecy.”

Robert Downey Jr

“You’re confronted with histories and predispositions and influences and feelings and unspoken traumas or needs that weren’t met, and all of a sudden you’re three miles into the woods. Can you help someone get out of those woods? Yes, you can. By not getting lost looking for them.”

Jamie Lee Curtis

“The beautiful part of being able to acknowledge your own illness, to call yourself an alcoholic or a drug addict, is a badge of honour, because the shameful secret is the reason why it’s such a pervasive illness. It’s the secret shame that keeps people locked up in their disease.”

Lady Gaga

“It was like the drug was my friend. I never did it with other people. It’s such a terrible way to fill that void, because it just adds to that void, because it’s not real.”

Dax Sheppard

“To truly be powerless over something is fucking demoralizing, it’s so rough. And there are a couple of common fallacies about sobriety. One of them is that people hit a bottom and that’s that. Most addicts have many bottoms. The moment for me was realizing […] I’m doing everything I had dreamt of doing for 30 years, it all came true and I am the closest to not wanting to be alive as I’ve ever been. I was able to say something much more profound was broken.”

Chrissy Teigen

“I got used to being in hair and makeup and having a glass of wine. Then that glass of wine would carry over into me having one before the awards show. And then a bunch at the awards show. Then I felt bad for making kind of an ass of myself to people that I really respected. And that feeling, there’s just nothing like that. You feel horrible.”

Amber Valletta

“I suffer from a disease called addiction. I found drugs, I found alcohol…couldn’t manage my feelings so I had to take something. And I put everything on the line for my addiction. I didn’t care. Addiction takes you to the worst places. It’s demoralizing, it’s dark and it thrives on all of those things. I got sober at 25 not because I had the willpower but because I didn’t wana die. How I stay sober today, 15 years later, is that I continually turn inward and look at my disease because my disease shapeshifts.” 

Just another reminder to be kind to yourself on this journey, which is unfathomably difficult. Self-compassion may seem out of reach right now but keep working towards it every day. The best way we know how to do that is through journaling, which you can learn all about on our DiveThru blog. Decades of research have proven the benefits of freewriting to identify and express your emotions and we want you to take advantage of that. 

And we probably should have led with this, but DiveThru is free to download! You’ve got 1000+ journaling prompts at your fingertips to dive thru what you’re going thru. All you need is a pen and paper.

 

10 Ways to Support Someone with an Eating Disorder

You’ve noticed that your friend has been refusing food lately. They look tired and are dropping weight, but when you ask them if they’re ok they always say that they’re “fine.” You’re lowkey freaking out and the words “eating disorder” keep popping into your brain but you know your own limitations. You KNOW you don’t know enough. Anddd, you know it’s not your place to speak about it until your friend is ready for it.

One day, you invite them out to dinner at your favourite restaurant and they only get a drink or eat very little of the low-calorie meal that they’ve ordered. When you ask them again if they’re doing alright, they say that they “just aren’t that hungry today.”

Your same friend has also been exercising a lot. And I mean A LOT. They complain of brittle nails and a dry mouth. All of this scares the living shit out of you because you recognize they might be the signs of an eating disorder. 

Approaching someone about their disordered eating can be a really difficult thing to do. It can be hard to even start the conversation! So, how do you help someone who may be dealing with an eating disorder, when they may not yet be ready for your help?

1. Patience Is Key

Trying to help someone enter recovery for their eating disorder can be a long and complicated process. It might take a while for them to open up to you about it and until they’re ready to do that, you can still find ways to support them.

Tell your loved one that you’re concerned about them, that you care about them, and that you’re here for them no matter what and no matter when.

Eating disorders can be a really isolating experience, so having someone walk down the long road to recovery with them will help give them the courage they need to continue. 

Recovery can take years! They might relapse, they might try to give up, so you need to always have patience for them and their journey. There are many ways to offer emotional support while your friend or loved one is experiencing an eating disorder.

2. Educate Yourself

Eating disorders can come in all shapes and sizes. There isn’t one specific way that someone with an eating disorder looks because they affect everyone differently. 

According to Psychology Today, eating disorders are “psychological conditions characterized by unhealthy, obsessive, or disordered eating habits.” The more educated you are on the different eating disorder types, treatments, and resources, the more likely you’ll be able to effectively help your loved one.

3. Let Go of Judgement

Some people can hold a lot of shame when it comes to their eating disorder. You can support someone by being a non-judgemental pillar for them to lean on in their darkest times.

If they know they can come to you about literally anything, your loved one will trust you more and open up about their struggles and experiences.

4. Keep Calm During Hard Conversations

When you care about someone, it can be hard to not become emotional and not let those emotions show. You might be angry that they’re hurting themselves. You might be saddened watching them struggle with their mental and physical health. Maybe you’ll also see some pushback from them as they try to navigate this tough conversation. But try to keep your emotions in check as best as you can.

If you react with anger or frustration, it may damage your friendship without actually helping your loved one in their journey. Be as kind and understanding as possible. Remember it’s not about your feelings at this one moment in time, it’s about your friend’s feelings. 

Keep your emotions in check and unload them later when you can work through them at home!

5. Watch Your Words

Make sure that what you’re saying doesn’t trigger them. People with eating disorders can be easily triggered by certain phrases and words. Don’t fat or skinny shame them, don’t bring up the topic of food or their disorder if you don’t have to, and always come from a place of love.

Here are some things you CAN say when supporting someone: 

“I know that this is hard, but I am so proud of you for fighting!” 

“I might not understand what you’re going through, but I am always going to be here to support you.” 

“You are so strong!”

“I’m always here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”

“How can I support you?” 

“How are you doing? Honestly.” 

“I love you.”

We also have a more in-depth article on what not to say to someone with an eating disorder to help you out even more! (link to second article)

6. Support Them at Mealtimes

Eating for you might seem like a fun activity! You might look forward to mealtimes and have nooo problem finishing the delicious and amazing food on your plate.

Mealtimes with an eating disorder are a whole other experience. Because food is used to deal with uncomfortable emotions, your loved one may be soothing their sadness with excess food, or exercising control over their life by eating less and less. This difficult relationship with food can be overwhelming.

When this happens, be there for them. Ask them how you can best support them during mealtimes because they’ll really need you.

7. Include Them in Activities

Like we said, eating disorders can be super isolating. Your loved one can become withdrawn and feel overwhelmed with painful emotions relating to themselves and their eating disorder.

Don’t let them suffer alone. Invite them out to places! If you have a party, include them. Ask them out to coffee or even bring coffee to them. Find activities for you to do together so that they know that they aren’t alone and that they have you supporting them every step of the way.

8. Take Care of Yourself

It can be emotionally and mentally draining to support someone with an eating disorder. So, be sure that you’re taking care of yourself too! It’s important that you are also well enough to continue to support them.

Sometimes taking care of yourself means setting boundaries, and other times it means going to therapy. Find out what works for you so that you can keep fighting the good fight!

9. Show Them That Recovery Is Possible

People with eating disorders can want to recover, but sometimes they don’t believe that they can. They might not think that it’s possible for them to get back to a healthy state of mind and repair their relationship with food. 

Many people have posted about their eating disorder recovery online, so show these stories to your loved one. Say that you believe that they can recover just like the MANY people before them! 

 

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10. Call a Support Line

If things are really serious and you don’t know what to do next, call a support line and get their advice. The professionals on the other end of the phone will be able to guide you in the right direction. They’ll tell you how to help your loved one when you don’t know what else you can do.

The National Eating Disorder Information Centre has a toll-free helpline that runs from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. EST: 1-866-633-4220

Kids Help Phone also has a 24/7 confidential helpline that you can call for help if you’re 20 years old or younger: 1-800-668-6868

At the end of the day, the best way to help your friend is to love them. Yeah, we know that sounds simple, but it’s true! Let them know that you’re with them every step of the way on this journey and that you’re always going to support them. They’ll never feel alone if they have an amazing person like you right by their side!