Eating Issues and Eating Disorders: Where to find help
The Women's Resource Center
Offering pamphlets, resources, books, and general information about eating issues, eating disorders, body image, and self-esteem.
The WRC also offers a confidential peer support group in a safe, relaxed environment. This group meets every Monday at 6:00pm in the WRC. For more information, please call or email the WRC. All women who have personal experience with eating issues are welcome.
141 McElroy Commons
552-3489
wrc@bc.edu
University Counseling Services
Offering individual and group counseling for many types of concerns, including eating disorders. Also makes referrals to outside agencies when appropriate. Available free of charge to all full time Boston College students.
Mary Libby, Scheduling Assistant
Gasson 108
552-3310
Sheila Tucker, MA, RD
Nutritionist, Dining Services
Part Time Faculty, SON & LSOE
Offering individual counseling on general nutrition, disordered eating, fueling your body for sports & fitness, vegetarian nutrition and therapeutic diets.
Available for appointments Tuesdays & Thursdays, call 552-8040.
sheila.tucker@bc.edu
University Health Services
Offering nutrition counseling and resources for physical assessments.
Nancy Baker, Associate Director
Cushing Hall, First Floor
552-3225
bakerna@bc.edu
For after-hours access to health related issues or for an on-call psychologist (24 hours a day): 552-3227
Donna Bennett, Certified Athletic Trainer, Sports Medicine
Offering support for BC athletes with eating issues.
donna.bennett@bc.edu
Off-campus resources:
MEDA: Massachusetts Eating Disorder Association
92 Pearl ST., Newton Corner
558-1881
www.medainc.org
info@medinc.org
Eating Issues Web Sites:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
http://www.bc.edu/health_education
How To Help a Friend:
What to do if you think someone may have an Eating Disorder
Eating disorders are not about the food. There is always a deeper problem that is causing the person to focus so intently on food. The eating disorder is the outward manifestation signaling that there is an inner problem (e.g. self-esteem, family issues, depression, anxiety). An eating disorder is a person’s attempted solution to that problem. The eating disorder will begin to go away when the inner problem is addressed, and usually counseling is helpful in this process.
1) Make sure you approach the person one-on-one. If a group of you is concerned, it is very important that one person be chosen to talk with the friend. Group confrontation can make a person feel “ganged up on” and can cause a friend to feel betrayed, as if everyone has been talking about them. The goal is to support your friend, and often a group confrontation can leave a person feeling like they have been betrayed by their support system.
2) Make a plan to approach your friend in a private place. Try to choose a non-stressful environment where you will have time to talk at length, if necessary.
3) Present what you have observed and what your concerns are in a non-confrontational, caring way. Tell her that you are worried because of what you have noticed and that you would like to offer some help. Stay away from saying “we’ve been talking and are worried” – focus on what you yourself have seen, it is less threatening. (Friends who are too angry or hurt to talk supportively should not be the ones to confront.)
Offer human company and empathy. You don’t need to agree with the person’s feelings or stance. There is a place for challenge, advice, information, pep talks, jokes, and confrontation. Generally, that place is after she feels her experience is understood and accepted for what it is.
4) Listen carefully and non-judgmentally. Give the person time to hear what you have to say and to verbalize their feelings. Ask clarifying questions and then accept whatever they have to say without judgement. Encourage her to talk about her feelings.
5) Do not argue about whether or not there is a problem. Power struggles are not helpful. You could say “I hear what you are saying and I hope that you are right and that this is not a problem. But I am still concerned about what I have seen and heard because I care about you.” (It is best not to say what other people feel or what they have noticed. Speak with “I” statements.)
6) Do not lay guilt trips, like “Look what you are doing to your family or roommates”. We are each responsible for our own feelings.
Bear in mind that people with eating disorders yearn to know that someone could both know the worst about them and love them and care about them anyway.
7) If the person denies the problem, becomes angry, or refuses treatment, understand that this is often a part of the illness. They have a right to refuse (UNLESS their life is in danger). You may feel helpless and angry. You might say, “I know you can refuse to go for help, but that won’t stop me from being concerned. I may bring this up again later – maybe we can talk about it then.” Follow through on this, and other promises you might make. Your friend may need time to process what you have said to them. Don’t expect an immediate positive response, the important thing is to follow through and be consistent.
8) Provide information and resources for treatment. Make sure that you brush up on your knowledge of eating disorders before you talk to your friend, and be sure to offer resources to her. Encourage her to see a counselor, nutritionist, or physician and offer to go with her to the first appointment. Ask her to go to one appointment before making a long-term commitment. Also, mention that there are many support groups available both on campus and in the area. Remember that recovery is a long process. It may take a while before your friend is feeling better and it is important for you to remain supportive throughout the entire recovery process.
9) Do not try to be the hero or rescuer – you may be resented. If you do the best you can to help on several occasions and the person does not accept it, stop. This does not mean stop being aware of their behavior, but you have done all it is reasonable to do. Eating disorders are stubborn problems, and treatment is most effective when the person is truly ready for it. You may have planted a seed that helps them get ready.
10) Make sure you get support for yourself. It can be difficult to live with someone who is dealing with an eating disorder. Get the information and support that you need.
For continuing support of your friend:
• Remember that she is more than her eating disorder. Don’t let it become her identity – focus on her other characteristics that make her great. She is a friend, sister, roommate, etc. The more you help her identify her positive attributes, the easier it will be to let go of the “eating disorder” identity.
• Don’t be afraid of conflicts or problems. These areas need to be brought out into the open, not hidden. Be sure to keep lines of communication open.
• Do not focus on weight gained or lost. Focus more on her mental state. If you say, “you look thin” you are focusing on appearance and feeding into her behavior. If you say, “you look healthy” she may think you are saying, “you look fat.”
• Don’t focus on achievements – grades, promotions, etc. Instead, talk about her inner qualities and strengths. Set an example – be good to yourself and she will see that it is possible.
• Stay positive! People do recover from eating disorders. Many people who recover acknowledge the importance of friends who believed in them and kept trying to reach through to them.
This information was compiled by the
Women’s Resource Center at Boston College.