Fathers: Recognizing Eating Disorders: There is hope to help your daughter
Today, untold numbers of fathers are facing a terrible situation…one they never anticipated and are ill-prepared to handle: their daughter has an eating disorder.
Often, a father’s first reaction to the advent of an eating disorder in the family may be one of misunderstanding the scope of the problem. He may think she is following a dieting fad, or in some adolescent phase. He may want to fix the problem and may see the solution as “Well, she just has to eat and everything will be fine”
We understand why a dad would feel this way: the idea of a child starving herself or causing herself to vomit is so outside the realm of considerations for a father and the inability to fix the problem can bring on feelings of powerlessness.
Perhaps you understand this experience as a dad. Protecting your child and keeping her safe is your first priority. Possibly you can relate to wanting to “just maker her eat”. The solution is clear and concrete. But, you may have discovered: no one can force a child to eat – it is simply impossible to do. Neither pleading or bribery will induce her to eat, and as time goes on, her illness only becomes more entrenched.
So…what are you to do?
Don’t go it alone. You are not alone.
Your daughter has a illness, which is just as real as diabetes or epilepsy. She is not alone. Approximately 10 million females in the United Sates today have an eating disorder. Even worse, up to one million will die from it.
Recognize that you did not cause the problem.
Not only are eating disorders epidemic, but they are caused by a multitude of complex factors working together. Genetics, our culture and media, peer pressure, perfectionism – the list goes on. No one is to blame.
Recognize that you cannot “fix” your daughter.
Dads are protective of their families and tend to be intrinsic “fixers.” They see a problem, determine the solution, then fix it. But it won’t work here. That’s because your daughter isn’t broken, she is ill. And just as you probably could not set a fractured leg, you cannot mend your daughter on your own.
Recognize what your daughter needs.
Your daughter needs the help from treatment professionals who extensively understand eating disorders. And, you need the education and resources that can help you and your family guide your daughter in the journey of seeking recovery. Outpatient treatment is the first line of treatment. However, if your daughter does not improve at this level of care you may need to take the next step: inpatient care.
And last …please recognize that we are here to help. In the past 20 years, we have treated more than 10,000 women and girls. We understand eating disorders and
we know what it takes to help your daughter reach for recovery and how you can successfully assist her. Complete and lasting recovery is possible.
For additional information, call 1-800-445-1900 today.
