The practice of an eating disorder can be viewed as a survival mechanism. Just as an alcoholic uses alcohol to cope, a person with an eating disorder uses eating, purging or restricting to deal with his or her problems. Some of the underlying issues that are associated with an eating disorder include low self-esteem, depression, feelings of loss of control, feelings of worthlessness, identity concerns, family communication problems and an inability to cope with emotions. The practice of an eating disorder may be an expression of something that the eating disordered individual has found no other way of expressing. Eating disorders are usually divided into three categories: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Compulsive Overeating.

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Compulsive Overeating

Things NOT to say to someone experiencing an eating disorder:

• You look terrible

• I wish I had that problem

• I'll give you a few months to get over this illness

• What have you eaten today?

• I am happy to see how much you ate today

• Why can you just sit down and eat like a normal person

• Why are you so into yourself?

• You're ruining the family

• It may be YOUR eating disorder, but you don't know how it's affecting ME

• You're just doing this for attention

• No one will ever like you with your weight like this

• There is no use going for counseling. It will obviously never help

• Be patient; recovery takes time

If you are concerned that someone you know has an eating disorder, here are helpful suggestions as to what you can do:

• Tell the person you want to help

• Express your concern

• Assure the person that they are not alone, and that you will try to help them in any way that you can

• Do not be judgmental or critical

• Try to get the person to seek professional help as soon as possible

• Try to learn as much as possible about eating disorders

• Avoid talking about food and weight

• Watch for signs of deteriorating physical or emotional health

• Be careful about personal prejudices or misconceptions about body image

• Do not comment on their weight or appearance

• Do not blame the individual, or allow yourself to get angry with them

• Do not become a pop-therapist

• Do not make mealtimes a battleground

• Do not try to make a person eat or insist that they gain weight

• Never compare the person to other individuals