What its like dating someone with an eating disorder

Are You in a romantic relationship with someone with an eating disorder?

If you are in a romantic relationship with someone struggling with an eating disorder, you probably already know this. As much as your partner tries to hide it or tell you it’s not that big of a deal, you feel the strain it places on your relationship.

Why does my partner hide their eating disorder from me?

Control is often the driving factor – they want to be in control of their life, and when things get out of control and they start to feel anxious, they will turn to their eating disorder to regain that feeling of control. Your partner is most likely hiding many aspects of their eating disorder from you.

Why do people have eating disorders?

Eating disorders are usually not about trying to look good for someone else (yes, that includes you). Control is often the driving factor – they want to be in control of their life, and when things get out of control and they start to feel anxious, they will turn to their eating disorder to regain that feeling of control.

What to do if your partner has an eating disorder?

Learn everything you can about your partner’s eating disorder, and clear up any misconceptions you have about it. This will help you to better understand what your partner is struggling with, and how you might be helping or hurting with your responses to their behavior. Be careful with your words.

How do eating disorders affect relationships?

Shame and secrecy replace vulnerability and honesty as the eating disorder tightens its grip on its victim. It’s not surprising, then, that romantic partners of people with eating disorders often report feeling decreased emotional intimacy in their relationships.

What to do if your partner has an eating disorder?

Learn everything you can about your partner’s eating disorder, and clear up any misconceptions you have about it. This will help you to better understand what your partner is struggling with, and how you might be helping or hurting with your responses to their behavior. Be careful with your words.

Why does my partner hide their eating disorder from me?

Control is often the driving factor – they want to be in control of their life, and when things get out of control and they start to feel anxious, they will turn to their eating disorder to regain that feeling of control. Your partner is most likely hiding many aspects of their eating disorder from you.

How do anorexics experience intimacy in relationships?

In a 2006 study that looked at how women with anorexia nervosa experience intimacy in their romantic relationships, these women pointed to their partners understanding their eating disorders as a significant factor in feeling emotional closeness.

How can I Help my significant other with an eating disorder?

If your significant other is dealing with any kind of eating disorder, you, like my partner, have the ability to bring light into their life. You dont have to be flawless in order to help them — in fact, youll probably stumble a couple times and say the wrong thing. But dont let that stop you. Youve got lots to offer.

Are You in a romantic relationship with someone with an eating disorder?

If you are in a romantic relationship with someone struggling with an eating disorder, you probably already know this. As much as your partner tries to hide it or tell you it’s not that big of a deal, you feel the strain it places on your relationship.

Is your significant other struggling with an eating disorder?

If your significant other is dealing with any kind of eating disorder, you, like my partner, have the ability to bring light into their life. You dont have to be flawless in order to help them — in fact, youll probably stumble a couple times and say the wrong thing. But dont let that stop you.

Why does my partner hide their eating disorder from me?

Control is often the driving factor – they want to be in control of their life, and when things get out of control and they start to feel anxious, they will turn to their eating disorder to regain that feeling of control. Your partner is most likely hiding many aspects of their eating disorder from you.