Creating a Recovery-Positive Environment as a Caregiver

Caregivers play an incredibly important role in eating disorder recovery, but at times, they may feel unsure of how to offer meaningful support. While there may be moments when it’s hard to find the right words or find an immediate solution, the most impactful thing you can do is create an environment that supports their recovery. A space without judgement and full of understanding and support during the inevitable ups and downs that come with the recovery journey. Here are a few ways you, as a caregiver, can foster a recovery-positive environment.

1. Ask for input from the person you’re caring for

The most important thing you can do is ask the person you are caring for how you can make their environment more recovery-positive. This allows them to have more control in their recovery journey and puts their needs and comfort above all else. A helpful way to go about this conversation could be with creating a brave container. A brave container is something I have learned about in my postgraduate studies in Addictions and Mental Health.

A brave container is created by establishing a physically and psychologically safe environment (in this case with the person you are caring for) to encourage vulnerability and connection, as well as to facilitate growth. Its concepts are often used in trauma-informed care and compassion-focused therapy. First, ask the person you’re caring for what they need in order for those things to be possible. Would they like you to be present during meals? Do they need more support in certain areas? Would they like to have more independence? Would they like you to check in with them often? What type of support would they like on harder days?

These questions support their autonomy by allowing them to be involved in the process through collaborative decision-making.

It is also important to talk about potential triggers and what can be done to lessen their impact, or how to avoid them when necessary.

2. Continue to learn/stay educated

Continue to do your research on their eating disorder (ED), as well as the treatments they may be receiving/what types of treatments they could receive. This can be done through independent research, or by talking to the service providers of their care or other professionals. 

Some resources that can help you get started:

• The National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC): A wonderful resource anyone in the mental health community should familiarize themselves with. NEDIC offers specific resources on many different types of EDs, resources for caregivers and individuals with EDs, tips for finding care providers, a helpline, and lots more. 

  • https://nedic.ca/resources/

• The National Initiative for Eating Disorders (NIED): We have many resources for caregivers including our resource guide, crisis readiness tools booklet, support groups, as well as our initial point of contact program.

  • https://www.nied.ca/pan-canadian-support-groups 

• The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): Offers many resources and information about eating disorders including how and where to find help..

  • https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/understanding-and-finding-help-for-eating-disorders/ 

• Encourage

Encourage the person you’re caring for to stick to routines, but offer patience as some days will be harder than others (for both of you). It is important to celebrate milestones in recovery, but also be kind and comforting during any setbacks, supporting them to get back on course. 

4. Seek your own support and take care of yourself!

You can’t help someone without taking care of yourself, too; in order to avoid burnout it’s important to discover your preferred methods of self-care and take time to acknowledge your own needs to take care of yourself as well.

• Try to get good sleep

• Engage in a hobby like a sport or another activity that’s fulfilling or creative

• Try journaling - it’s a great way to reduce stress and reflect on our own thoughts and feelings (find prompts online if you’re finding it hard to start)

• Build a support network of other caregivers, friends, family, etc. who you can go to when you might need advice or support

• Join a caregiver support group and establish connections to have people in your corner who might be going through a similar situation

• Considering seeing a therapist or counsellor - this can help take some of the stress off your shoulders and provide you with some guidance and resources. A counsellor or therapist may also be able to connect you to other services or groups that could be helpful to you.