Client Quote #38: double standard

This sends quite a confusing message doesn’t it? Sometimes I hear from clients that they get frustrated when caregivers urge them to eat yet they themselves might be on a “diet” or restricting food in some way. 

Even though we could try to think of some logical reasons for their behaviors ie. Nutrition needs are different across the life span or having an eating disorder has specific nutritional needs that doesn’t apply to others; but it might not be enough to ease the fear that this confusing behavior perpetuates. The fear that food isn’t safe and it needs to be controlled somehow. 

This is why working with caregivers to provide ED education is part of my job. But ultimately, it’s not about changing the behaviors of others, it’s about changing our own unhelpful beliefs about food so that we can nourish ourselves regardless of what others do.