In the world of eating disorder recovery there are many challenges that are presented, but also many opportunities for growth. In recovery, the lack of autonomy for a teen can be a challenge. It can be difficult to see their peers surrounding them have multiple opportunities to step into more independence, while they still may need additional support in some areas which can lead to a lack of independence. One thing I always stress when working with this population is that there are many aspects of building independence that can be worked on in congruence with recovery.

Something to keep in mind is that supporting autonomy can also look like first implementing structure and boundaries. While it may not always feel like it for your teen, we know that we (you and us, as practitioners) have a shared goal of helping them earn and manage their independence around food more confidently. Our goal is for them to be able to practice flexibility, while still meeting their nutrition needs. This is where individualized care really becomes important.

When a loved one is struggling to eat consistently, I think the natural reaction for a parent is to do whatever you can and prepare whatever you feel will encourage them to eat. While meeting your teen where they are at is important, it is also a necessity to challenge any potential for enabling or catering to the eating disorder. The difficult part for a parent is being able to decipher what is helping vs what is enabling (or harming). Ideally, the recommendation would be to continue to serve what your family typically eats and help provide support for your teen to consume this meal. You may find that your teen pushes back and is not in a place to use coping skills to tolerate the distress the situation may cause. This may indicate that your child needs additional support from a team (outpatient or higher level of care). One thing that you do not want to do is to be dishonest about what you are preparing or try to sneak in more for your teen due to being concerned. These actions could result in a loss of trust and exacerbate an already difficult situation.

When your child is in recovery, it is important to be an active participant in their recovery. Just as your teen needs support and guidance, you do, as well. Often in recovery, not only will your teen be stretched to do difficult tasks or challenges, but you may also find that you have some areas that may need to be confronted. In some cases, family therapy may also be beneficial. As a practitioner, I strongly recommend parents of those in recovery also be intentional about building a support system. This is hard work, after all! The treatment plan for all families is different and individualized to meet the patient and/or family where they are at. If you would like more information on how to support your teen in their recovery, please connect with their treatment team and/or trained medical professionals.

Are you in a space of finding yourself needing more support for you or your child regarding nutrition? Reach out today! We are honored to help.