Eating Disorder FAQ:
1. Why don't they just eat?
The first thing to realize once you have come to the awareness that your loved-one suffers from an Eating Disorder, is that you must not concentrate immediately on the food. All forms of Eating Disorders are emotionally based and the behaviors are only a symptom to emotional and stress related problems.
As said many times on this site, disordered eating is an attempt to control, hide, stuff, avoid and forget emotional pain, stress and/or self-hate. If you are the parent of a child under 18 you will have difficult decisions to make regarding their care. Regardless of pleas to "not make me," and promises that the behavior will stop, you will have to stay very attuned to what is happening with your child and may have to force them to go to doctors and/or the hospital. Keep in mind how serious Eating Disorders are and that they can kill.
2. What should I do if I think someone I know has an eating disorder?
If you suspect that you or someone else has an eating disorder:
- discuss your concerns with a professional such as a physician, a health nurse, a school counsellor/teacher, etc.
- be compassionate and open in approaching the individual and try to do so in an informal manner
- recognize that eating disorders are complicated serious conditions which most often require professional interventions.
3. Where can someone go for help?
St. Joseph’s Care Group Eating Disorder Program
Sister Margaret Smith Centre
35 N. Algoma St.
Contact:
Program Manager Kerry Bourret
807-343-2400 ext. 2228
Email bourretk@tbh.net
