How do I help?

@OliTheHoly

I think the answer to this question is very personal and depends person to person, but in general--with any issues not just bulimia--the best way to help someone is to listen, to be present and there for them, to be supportive, to validate their experience, to provide resources and suggest more intensive help if appropriate/indicated BUT to also know that you can't force help on anyone it has to be up to them and treatment doesn't work if someone isn't motivated from their own desires to get better. Know that some people are in a place where they want to get better, and some people aren't. That's okay. Motivation and commitment ebb and flow and ambivalence (wanting to get better but also simultaneously wanting to not give up the illness) is totally normal. You can also ask them what type of support they personally find helpful and go from there. Eating disorders are hard and exhausting and complex--if someone is looking for support with bulimia, they don't want to hear things like "well just eat more" or "just eat less and then you won't have to purge" or "just stop throwing up after you eat and you'll be fine! You don't need to do that!" We know what we're doing, we often know it is harmful, and if we could "just stop" we would. Don't try to fix the situation or cure them, just be there and be supportive and open to what they need to say

Thanks for being open to learning, and acknowledging areas that you don't understand. Feel free to reach out with any questions of if you want clarity on anything!