When a younger child, or teenager, is diagnosed with an eating disorder, the whole family is affected. Though only one child is sick, siblings are deeply affected by the frustrations, fears, and other emotions associated with an eating disorder.

"From other parents whose children had recovered from anorexia, I heard the same kinds of concerns. Predictably, the younger the child, the more acting out the parents saw, including clinginess, tantrums, mimicking dangerous behaviors like not eating, and depression."

Once the child has recovered from the eating disorders, siblings often feel freer to express their own feelings of anger, fear and frustration, so the emotions may not come until the crisis is over. Read more online.

Labels: family, recovery, impact

Posted By: Aspen Education Group