Families and the Environment in Eating Disorders

Eating disorders also have a strong influence on the family members of those who develop these disorders, and vice versa.

Eating Disorders are serious psychological disorders, which influence all aspects of the affected person's life. Although the most visible is the relationship with food, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Its causes are many and varied, but there is always a common denominator: low self-esteem.

It is estimated that there are more than 70 million people in the world affected by this type of disorder. When we talk about this figure, we are not counting family members and family members and the people around them, who also suffer indirectly from eating disorders on a daily basis..

The relationship between Eating Disorders and the family.

If we look back, the role of the family in the treatment of EDs has evolved over time. has evolved over time.

In the first treatments applied (before the 1970s), the family was excluded because it was considered to be a causal factor or an important part of the disorder. In this way, the person suffering from the disease was isolated on the understanding that in this way he or she would get better.

However, at the end of the 1970s, authors such as Minuchin or Palazzoli began to be aware that this separation is not beneficial, so they began to apply family therapy..

Psychology has also had the pretension of identifying a "Profile of the ED family" that is repeated from one case to another. This is not entirely possible, since, as previously mentioned, this disorder responds to a multicausal etiology.

At the present time, the role of families in the treatment of ED is increasingly taken into account.. From my point of view, it is essential that we have the patient's family members as active agents in the therapeutic process.

How do families come to the consultation?

In general, their psychological state is as follows:

Disoriented and lost

They do not understand what is happening or how they have reached this situation.. In many cases they are not aware of what is happening, in others they suspected that something was happening but did not know what or the seriousness of the matter. Some even deny the problem.

Frightened and distressed

Not being in control of the situation, they feel bad.

Blamed

Often, family members feel guilty about their loved one's situation.

With the role of parents blurred

They have lost their parental role, or do not know how to exercise it.. Sometimes the situation leads them to become "cops or detectives" trying to look for wrappers or leftover food around their child's room, or listening behind the bathroom door.

What can we do for families?

Some recommendations to follow when dealing with family members of people with ED are as follows.

1. Listen to them

Give them a space where they can express themselves. Perhaps in the consultation is the first time they can express everything they feel because previously it is possible that they have hidden it or see it as a taboo.

2. Inform them

Give them information about their loved one's condition, about the illness he/she is suffering from, about the disease he/she is suffering from, and about the treatment.about the disease, its symptoms and prognosis.

3. Support them

It is important that they find support in the psychologist. It is essential that we help them to get rid of the guilt they feel, emphasizing the difference between guilt and responsibility..

4. Teach them tools

Provide necessary guidelines on a daily basis. It is appropriate to work with them assertiveness so that they can have a good communication at home.

5. Encourage them to recover the role of parents

On the one hand, they should set the necessary limits in proportion to the situation and age of their family member. On the other hand, it is important that they recover the relationship they had before the disease was established..

6. Caring for the caregiver

The ED cannot dominate their whole life. They should take care of themselves and pamper themselves, taking time for themselves and their hobbies.

7. Motivate them and encourage their patience

The treatment of an ED is complicated and ups and downs are frequentWe can help them to be prepared.

Levels of intervention

According to Walter Vandereycken and his collaborators, there are four levels of psychological intervention to be considered. to take into account.

• Educational counseling and guidance: psychoeducation to family members about what is ED and how to cope with it.
• Family therapy: therapy with all family members. Sometimes the psychologist must act as a mediator.
• Couples therapy: if there is a crisis.
• Individual therapy for family members: in those cases whose severity requires it.

In short, we must see in the family members and the environment some allies in the treatment of the ED.. In this way we will all row in the same direction to achieve a better evolution and prognosis for your loved one.

Author: Laura Martín Pato, General Health Psychologist, member of Centro de Psicología Matía and Centro de Terapia Online..