Parent Support Groups: What Resources Are Available for Parents of Individuals Struggling with Anorexia?

There are many support groups available to individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa, but what services are offered for their friends and family members? Those serving as someone else’s support system through something as difficult as an eating disorder can greatly benefit from support of their own.

Benefits of Joining a Support Group

If your loved one is battling anorexia nervosa or another eating disorder, this has likely taken its toll on your own mental health. When you love someone, it hurts you to see them in so much pain, and as a parent that is even more true.

Joining a support group can provide you with a sense of community. Whether coming to terms with your child’s diagnosis, battling insurance companies for coverage, or coping with a relapse, you might feel the urge to isolate. Resisting this urge by finding a community of those going through a similar struggle can empower you to speak your truth and find the light in the darkness.

At home, you might feel as though you need to be strong and keep up a front that everything is fine. When you find a support group, you can use this safe space to openly express yourself, whether this means airing your frustrations or just having a good cry. This can be invaluable when navigating your child’s eating disorder recovery.

Support groups can also help you develop your own healthy coping tools to address the feelings you are having surrounding your loved one’s recovery journey. Meetings for parents of children with eating disorders are more common online than in-person, but you can research and find groups local to your area.

Support Groups for Family Members

Various organizations around the globe offer support groups geared toward parents of those with eating disorders.

Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (FEAST) is an international organization that unites and supports eating disorder caregivers. Resources available include local support group listings, an online forum with topical discussion threads, and a learning center to educate loved ones on the facts and realities of eating disorders.

The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) holds support groups across the United States. Some are specifically for those struggling with disordered eating themselves, others are exclusively for loved ones, and some are welcome to anyone who would like to attend. Be sure to determine which meeting times are open to friends and family.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides parents with the NEDA Parent Toolkit, a free online brochure that outlines eating disorder facts, tips on navigating the treatment process, and ways to best support your loved one.

For those who have lost a friend or family member to his or her eating disorder, NEDA also runs the Loss Support Network to connect you with a trained volunteer who will provide support and help you cope with your devastating loss. If you so desire, you can also be connected with others in your area who have suffered similar losses at the hands of eating disorders.

What About 12-Step Programs?

12-step programs are more often associated with addiction recovery, but they can also be used in the context of eating disorder recovery. Similar to how Al-Anon provides support and an altered 12-step approach to fit the needs of loved ones of those with alcohol addiction, there are some 12-step programs aimed at friends and family of those with eating disorders.

If you are interested in joining an ED-Anon or other 12-step program, research what options are available in your area. If there are no active meetings nearby but you would like to start a chapter near you, reach out to Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) and find out how to establish a local chapter of ED-Anon.

Get Started Today

It is important to address your own mental and physical health needs while caring for your child. There is a reason flight attendants tell you to put on your oxygen mask before putting one on your child in case of emergency. You cannot be there for him or her in the way you want if you are not properly taking care of yourself.

Joining a support group is a small time commitment that can prove extremely beneficial for both you and your family. Connecting with others who are coping with similar situations can be a relief, as you can speak freely to people who truly understand your plight. Reach out for the support you need and deserve so you can be better armed to support your child in recovery.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

Do you know of any additional resources for parents of children with eating disorders? If so, we want to know about them!

Courtney Howard Image - 2-17-16About the Author: Courtney Howard is the Executive Assistant for Eating Disorder Hope and Addiction Hope. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from San Diego State University, holds a paralegal certificate in Family Law, and is a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate. After obtaining her certification as a life coach, Courtney launched Lionheart Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching in 2015 and continues to be a passionate advocate for awareness and recovery.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on June 18, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com