How to Support a Friend Struggling with Body Image in Recovery

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The eating disorder recovery community is vast and supportive, creating a safe and inclusive environment for those in all stages of recovery.

To be a part of this community means giving support as well as receiving support. So, how do you support a recovering friend who may be struggling with their body image?

Let Them Know They Are Heard

Admitting body image struggles and concerns to recovered friends is not an easy feat. Your friend is undoubtedly fighting a bully that is picking at their body and mind.

If a friend is able to fight this negativity and come to you with their body image struggles, lend an open ear, meet them where they are, and let them know that you’re proud of them for having the courage to talk about it.

Feeling that our loved ones hear us and support us is powerful, as studies report that those in recovery feel more hopeful when they have stronger emotional connections with their family and friends [1].

Talk Openly About Body Image

Help your friend process their thoughts and emotions by gently asking questions that will help them better understand what they’re going through. Useful questions to bring to the table are:

  • Do you know what triggered these concerns?
  • How do you feel about these thoughts?
  • Have you considered taking any action?
  • What coping mechanisms have you tapped into?
  • Have you reached out to anyone else?

Note: This should not be an interrogation. Be flexible in receiving your friend’s responses and respect them by allowing them to drive the conversation. If they don’t want to answer any questions or dig deeper, simply restate your feelings and let them know that you are always available to talk and want to help in any way you can.

Encourage the Use of Healthy Coping Skills

If your friend is recovered, they most likely have a repertoire of coping tools that have helped them fight body image negativity in the past. Suggest your friend tap into one of these and offer to do it with them if they would like.

Woman smilingAn important part of recovery involves reconnecting with oneself and others, so try engaging in activities that create a more positive and loving relationship with the body and mind, such as yoga, journaling, and meditation [1].

Letting your friend know the ways in which you value them that have nothing to do with their body can be helpful, but it can be even more impactful for them to do that themselves.

Suggest your friend write a letter to their body, thanking it for all that it does for them and showing it some unconditional love.

Having a fellow friend in recovery can be extremely valuable, as they understand the struggle and can provide empathetic support. However, an important part of being a friend through your loved one’s recovery is knowing when you have reached your scope of understanding.

Be aware of your own limitations and know when to suggest that your friend speak to a professional. Above all, be sure to lead with love in your conversations with recovering loved ones.

Discussion Questions – Share Your Voice Here!

How have you shown support to your friends in recovery? Connect with others to discuss further on Eating Disorder Hope’s online forum today!

Image of Margot Rittenhouse.About the Author: Margot Rittenhouse is a therapist who is passionate about providing mental health support to all in need and has worked with clients with substance abuse issues, eating disorders, domestic violence victims and offenders, and severely mentally ill youth. As a freelance writer for Eating Disorder and Addiction Hope and a mentor with MentorConnect, Margot is a passionate eating disorder advocate, committed to de-stigmatizing these illnesses while showing support for those struggling through mentoring, writing, and volunteering. Margot has a Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

References:

[1]: Linville, D., Brown, T., Sturm, K., McDougal, T. “Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.” The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 20:3, 216-231.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 12, 2017.
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com