It’s natural to want to do everything possible for a loved one in recovery. But one of the most supportive things you can do is maintain healthy boundaries—both for them and for yourself.
Why boundaries matter:
- They encourage personal responsibility and reinforce that recovery is the patient’s journey.
- They protect your emotional energy, helping prevent burnout.
- They support structure and predictability, which many people with eating disorders find reassuring.
Examples of helpful boundaries:
- Not discussing weight, diets or appearance at home
- Setting limits around mealtime behaviour (e.g., staying at the table, avoiding criticism)
- Agreeing on how and when you’ll talk about difficult topics
- Saying no when something feels emotionally unsafe for you
It’s not unkind to set boundaries—it’s essential. If you’re unsure how to begin, organisations like FEAST and Beat offer free resources and support forums for carers and families (FEAST: https://www.feast-ed.org, Beat: http://beateatingdisorders.org.uk/).