Eating Disorders

FIVE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT EATING DISORDERS?

Myth #4: Families, particularly parents, are to blame for eating disorders

There is a common, historic misconception that family members can cause eating disorders through their interactions with a person at risk. This misconception has been so pervasive that historically parents were treated by medical practitioners as one of the factors contributing to an eating disorder rather than one of the resources available to help a person with an eating disorder recover.

Truth:

There is in fact no evidence that eating disorders can be caused by particular parenting styles.

There is strong evidence that eating disorders have a genetic basis and people who have family members with an eating disorder may be at higher risk of developing an eating disorder themselves. However, although a person's genetics may predispose them to developing an eating disorder this is certainly not the fault of their family. Genetics play a role in many illnesses; both mental (e.g. schizophrenia) and physical (e.g. breast cancer and heart disease).

Family and friends play a crucial role in the care, support and recovery of people with eating disorders. Clinical guidelines for best practice in managing eating disorders encourage the inclusion of families at each stage of treatment for adolescents with eating disorders, from the initial assessment to providing recovery support.

For adolescents, Family based treatment is currently the treatment with the strongest evidence base. Both Family Based Treatment and Supportive Family Therapy have been found to be effective in the treatment of Anorexia nervosa.

The effects of an eating disorder are often felt not only by the person experiencing it, but also by their family and support network. Carers, including parents, partners, friends, grandparents, children, siblings, grandchildren, neighbours or any other person caring for someone with an eating disorder, often feel:

Distressed about what is happening to themselves, the person they care for, and their familyBurnt out from the demands of caring for someone with an eating disorder on top of family life and work commitmentsConfused about the best way to help, both daily and in the long term goal of recoveryAnxious about the physical and psychological changes in the person they care forFearful of daily routine such as meal timesFrustrated by being unable to fix or resolve the eating disorderUnable to continue doing things they used to enjoyHopeless about their ability to provide support.All of these feelings are valid and normal. Caring for someone with an eating disorder is a huge responsibility and comes with considerable personal strain.