Eating Disorders Videos

7 Tips for Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder

Here are seven suggestions that can benefit your relationship and interaction with someone who is suffering from an eating disorder.

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Originally published March 2, 2017. Updated January 29, 2024.

Content Warning: eating disorders

One of the most common questions about eating disorders is how to help someone who is struggling with an eating disorder, and it’s not too hard to understand why. Eating disorders are extremely complex mental illnesses that have both psychological and physical aspects, and it can be very easy to trigger someone who is suffering.

Tips for Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder

Here are seven suggestions that can benefit your relationship and interaction with someone who is suffering–or who you think may be suffering–from an eating disorder:

  1. You cannot save or fix someone who is suffering from an eating disorder.
  2. Do not comment on weight or appearance. Keep your focus on how they feel.
  3. Listen more than you speak. Listen openly and without judgment. Provide a safe space for them to express their emotions.
  4. Encourage them to seek out professional help.
  5. Validate their feelings, fears and pain.
  6. Avoid talking about food.
  7. Ask them how you can help.

Watch the video below to learn more!

Link: https://youtu.be/y_byl7VvHDQ

Ask an Expert | Libero Magazine 5
Robyn Baker, CPT, RYT, BS

Robyn is the founder, owner, and operator of Asteya Fitness in Irvine, CA. She believes in health at every size and that the key to health and well-being is establishing and nurturing the mind-body connection through intuitive eating and exercise. She is a born and raised California girl and a proud mommy.


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