When you have a sense of what your goals are, you can more readily steer the conversation in the way that you want it to go.
Your parents might not know much about what eating disorders are, so this way you can educate them with the most up-to-date information. Here is an option for some materials to review: http://www. nationaleatingdisorders. org/find-help-support
If you have trouble finding alone time with your parents, create it. Ask them to step aside into a quiet room in your home for a private conversation. If you don’t have such a room, suggest that you go sit with them at a quiet park to have the conversation.
Repeat this process until you find yourself to be in a calm and relaxed state.
Keep in mind, however, that the dynamic between parent and child may vary greatly across different families.
If you just want them to listen and offer emotional support, let them know that. If you want their advice, let them know. If you need their financial support, e. g. , to see a mental health professional, mention that.
“I have a problem that I need to tell you about. Can we go somewhere private to talk?” “I could really use your advice on an issue I’m having. Can we go for a walk?” “I really need your help with something private; I want to talk to you alone about it. "
As you are explaining things, keep track of their faces. If either parent looks confused, ask them if anything you said is unclear.
Anorexia nervosa, which involves an inadequate consumption of food leading to low body weight. Binge eating disorder, which involves recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food. Bulimia nervosa, which involves recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food followed by behaviors that are intended to reduce weight gain, such as vomiting. Eating disorder not otherwise specified (NOS). This may include, for example, night eating syndrome (eating excessively at night), purging disorder (purging without first binge eating), or atypical anorexia nervosa (in which weight is within the normal range).
If you don’t know the answer to one of their questions, it’s fine to say that you don’t know. If you don’t want to answer one of their questions, tell them this. However, keep in mind that you parents love you and want to help. If what they are asking is relevant to your eating disorder, think carefully about your decision to not answer.
If you aren’t sure what your goals are, or if you just wanted to express your feelings to your parents, ask them for advice. It can’t hurt, and most parents love to give their children advice.
Make sure not to overwhelm them with too many materials or with material that is not relevant to your specific eating disorder.
If you find your parents are not understanding you or that you are getting upset for whatever reason, consider trying to have the conversation again at a later time when you are not as upset.
