How to Get Your Family Member into Care
Many people ask how they can get their loved one who is suffering from an eating disorder into treatment.
I recently received an email from a young girl who was concerned about her best friend. She saw that her friend had a severe eating disorder and felt that no one was doing anything to help – not the school, not her parents, and the not girl herself.
My suggestion was to stage an intervention. Get everyone that cares for the girl, and that the girl cares for into a room together to gently tell her about their concern for her, and the pain that they are feeling watching her do this to herself. Have everyone tell her that she needs to seek help as this cannot go on.
The technique of an intervention originally came out of the drug and alcohol field and can be very effective. In my experience it can finally convince the person to engage with professional services.
If you are at a loss of how to help your friend or family member consider an intervention. Of course, this is general advice and you must consider if it would be appropriate in your personal situation. For specific advice on your situation consider going to a mental health professional and sharing your difficulties with them.
Yours in health.
Dr. Charles
