approaching parents for therapy?
I’m 17 and my couch and school counselor want me to start going to a specialized therapist for my eating issues, but i’m not sure how to bring it up with my parents. Ive always had issues with food, so by now my parents just get mad when I skip meals. They’re the kind of people who would rather just fix things at home, and they’ve tried to do that with my eating issues in the past, so i’m worried they will say no if i ask. Anyone have any tips?
@M3M0
Hi there!
Would it be possible for your counselor to talk to your parents for you? Bringing it up yourself can be really hard, and I totally get that. Most parents don’t want to see their kids struggle, and therapy can be a sensitive topic for some due to beliefs and attitudes. But eating disorders/disordered eating traits are serious and can get worse if untreated. If your parents say no, there are still online support groups and free therapy options virtually (but getting personalized help is ideal). Maybe try showing them articles or videos that explain the importance of therapy to help them understand. I am here to chat if you want to talk about this further, I am sending you love. <3
@safeplace288 YES I actually just talked to my school counselor about that today! Still pretty terrified for the actual moment but she did offer to just call them instead, although that scares me in a completely different way bc ik they’ll sit me down for a whole talk afterwards. It would def be nice not to have to see their initial reactions though. I’m hoping to push it off until closer to the end of school to give myself a little time to prepare haha. The idea of actually having healthy eating habits still sounds horribly undesirable, but i’m tired of not being able to function in daily life anymore, and i’m ready to start talking to someone abt it which is nice to know and gives me confidence going into this :)
@M3M0
WOOOO! I am SO proud of you not only for facing your fears but also seeking help. You have no clue how much strength this takes. I know how you feel, when you have bad eating habits for so long it kind-of becomes "a part of you" due to be familar, and getting rid of them sortve feels like getting rid of something you might "like" sometimes. But personally, I think it is time to kick this disorder to the curb and get your life back. Chosing recovery is so scary.. I think you might relate to this picture. I'm excited for this new path of your life, and I hope your school counselor can convince your parents, sometimes hearing from a trained adult can change their mind.
@safeplace288 that picture is really beautiful and thought-provoking, thanks :) recovery is definitely something i’m apprehensive about, especially since I don’t really know what it would really look like. I’m hopeful and ready to move on though, especially since this past relapse has been absolutely tanking my grades and I need to be able to make it to college lol 😭 honestly though from the perspective of someone who loves learning, its sort of interesting in a way to see your body go through a change like this. I feel foggy most days, and struggle to stay awake despite full nights of rest. My focus has been completely destroyed too, and it takes me way longer to get homework done now. Not the healthiest of experiments, but still interesting to witness firsthand nonetheless. Not sure where i’m going with this little tangent but i just thought it was an interesting observation. I may be struggling, but still the scholar in me cant help but be fascinated with the human body haha
@M3M0
This is not a tangent at all!, and seems completely relevent, and actually I agree with you <3. The fact that you admitted that you are ready to move on makes me so happy, this is the best decision you have ever made and I have full confidence in you, even though it will be hard. I can tell you are such a smart person who loves learning, and the foggy feeling and the sleeping issues are common side effects of restriction and little reminders that your ED is trying to take away something you are passionate about away from you. The most beautiful thing to me is watching your mind and body be able to work together again in recovery (which I think you will enjoy). The uncertainty of what recovery will intail is scary especially when most EDs are rooted in controling everything. You can do this.
@safeplace288 Thanks! I’m super hopeful about this, i’ll probably approach my parents about it in the next few weeks. I hope they don’t think i’m faking or not serious enough, because all of the eating i do, i make sure they see, so to them i probably seem normal. That’s what my counselor will probably help with tho so i’m hopeful :) wish me luck <3
@M3M0
I am so hopeful, please keep me in on the loop if you can!! I am sending you all the luck I can, and if I could fix this whole thing for you, trust me I would. 💗 My messages are always open!!
@safeplace288 agh i will thank you so much for your kindness and response, you have no idea how much it means to have someone be supportive!! I really appreciate it <3
