How Can Friends and Family Be Supportive for Bulimia Nervosa-er

When a person is being treated for bulimia nervosa, the best thing a trusted family member, partner, or friend can do is to be supportive.

Knowing how to best support the patient can be difficult if family members and friends have their own issues with the patient, feel awkward, or don't know how to act around the person with bulimia nervosa.

Family members should strive to be open about their feelings and maintain open communication with the person with bulimia nervosa. Family therapy can provide a safe forum to bring issues for open discussion, counsel, and ultimate resolution.

Certain family members may also discover through this process that they would benefit from individual counseling to heal a relationship with the patient. It's important to remember that family members cannot force or speed treatment, and trying to exert control over the member with bulimia nervosa is almost never a good thing.

If a minor is seeking treatment and no help is available from the family, s/he should talk to an adult he or she knows and feels can be trusted—for example, a school guidance counselor, school nurse, teacher, coach, pastor, priest, other trusted relative or trusted adult friend. Youth helplines and Web sites may recommend a local help center.