Understanding the Stages of Change in the Recovery Process STAGES OF CHANGE
PERSON WHO HAS DEVELOPED AN EATING DISORDER
PreContemplation Stage
The person does not believe they have a problem. Refusal to discuss the issue and deny needing help.
CARER Others can see eating disorder behaviours exhibited like restrictive eating, binging, vomiting, over exercising or pre-oocupation with weight and appearance. Trust your instincts. Carers should educate themselves about eating disorders and share this information with their loved one, highlighting the harmful effects of the disorder on their health and the positive aspects of change. Understand the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder and avoid rationalizing eating disordered behaviours. Openly share your thoughts and concerns with your loved one and take them to a doctor as soon as possible.
Contemplation Stage
Person is willing to admit they have a problem and open to receiving help.
Take you child to see an eating disorder specialists.
Find a treatment team (GP, Dietitian and therapist).
If your loved one is an adult, encourage them to seek specialist help.
Fear of change maybe strong.
Try not to “fix” the problem yourself.
Therapist can assist in helping the person to discover the function of their eating disorder, why it is in their lives and how it no longer serves them.
Educate yourself more about eating disorders.
Start to list the pro’s and cons of the eating disorder, to see clearly in what ways it has helped and in what ways it has hindered you. As you find other ways to cope, you will see that they way it hinders you far out weighs the way it helps you. Write down the things you identify as negative eating disorder thoughts and behaviours and those thoughts and behaviours that come from self care. Some stages of change information sourced from Sarah R. Brotsky, (2009)
40 Understanding Eating Disorders
Encourage your loved one to write down the pro’s and cons of the eating disorder and to distinguish between negative eating disordered thoughts and behaviours and healthy self caring thoughts and behaviours. Be a good listener. Seek support for yourself from eating disorder services or support groups for family and friends.