Anorexia is a mental illness that just really feels good to have. This May sound strange for those of us who have an eating disorder, but it's true.
What do we mean, "It feels good to have?" There are several ways to strengthen the eating disorder.
1) This makes your child feel special and powerful
2) It does not get her attention, but it is not the primary motive
3) This gives her a sense of mastery over her body
4) loves the feeling of empty
Since her anorexia feels good in these ways, it will be very difficult for her to admit to the problem. She will not give up without a fight, since it satisfies so many needs for it.
Think of it like this: Suppose your doctor said leg is gangrenous and must fall. For you, however, it looks fine. She moves the way it should, it does not look painted and leg does not hurt. Your doctor's attitude that will kill you if it does not remove it but just do not see.
Those who love it too, so you can see who they are going to trust you or your doctor? They will trust the doctor's perception of course. If everyone can see your infected foot, but you, something is wrong with your eyesight or ability to feel pain.
They are not going to wait until you start to see more clearly. You could be dead by then! They give the doctor permission to do what it takes to save your life.
The same applies if your child is sick with an eating disorder. Can not wait until you see she has an eating disorder. Part of her separation from the ED have to understand she is not able to make healthy decisions for themselves now.
When it is ready you have to fight eating disorder behavior for her. As her weight has been restored and it shows the ability to make good decisions, and will gradually make these choices back to her. If you wait until an eating disorder feel bad enough that he wants to do something about it, it May be too late.
