How can you force a loved one to eat that may have anorexia?

Answer 1

You really can't. Anorexia tends to be a control issue, and tends to happen because the person feels like their eating is the one thing that they can control.
Forcing them to eat is a losing tactic for two reasons:
1. The person is likely to be *very* invested in keeping control of his/her eating habits, and
2. If you succeed in wresting control from them, they are likely to feel that their life is completely out of their control. People who see themselves as having literally no choices tend to do very drastic things (yes, worse than what's happening now.)
Your loved one needs help; if you must 'force' the person to do something, it's to get help.

Answer 2

Only they can help themselves. As sad as it sounds, you can't do anything for them. They have to want to change and eat. You can only give advice and try to help. A lot of people w/anorexia deny they have problems and will eat a little but then throw it up too. They act normal in front of you but then behind your back they'll starve themselves. Just try to be a good friend and know that they have a problem. They don't see themselves the way you and I see them. Anorexia is a disease. They see themselves as overweight, even though they may be a size 0. Give it time. They have to want to change and do better.

Answer 3

Of course you can't force a person to eat really, but you can get some pictures and info about anorexia and bulemia and allow the loved one to see what he/she is doing to him/herself. Also, perhaps arranging for the person to talk with a doctor or nurse or dietician or someone who has recovered from anorexia/bulemia, someone who can be on the same level rather than at an authoritative level might help, and it might help you to talk with them as well. The anorexic/bulemic person is trying to find control because something big in his/her life is feeling out of control and eating is something that seems more controllable. The person really needs to want to change and then needs to get counseling as well to resolve the underlying issues.

Answer 4

You can't force another person to do anything. If their weight is so low that their life is in danger, you might be able to get a doctor to hospitalize this person. Once in the hospital, a feeding tube can be inserted if necessary.

Rather than trying to force this person to eat, focus on being a friend and helping this person with whatever stress he or she might be experiencing. The more you focus on food, the stronger the resistance to eating will be.

Answer 5

Do not force them to eat. When they really have anorexia, they have basically rewired their brains in to thinking they are too fat and they don't need to eat and all that. They can not "just start eating". They need counseling to be able to rewire what they have trained their brain into thinking. It is serious and forcing someone just makes it worse, not better. It is a mind thing, they get to where they don't choose to be that way, they have convinced themselves for so long and you have to rewire the way they think.

Answer 6

the main thing is not to force them this makes them feel worse my friend was in this situation try talking to them mist people that r anorexia are doing it for a reason either because they think their fat, aren't pretty enough, or are just down on the selves the best thing u can do is tell them how good they are theyu'll probly say their not but keep telling them if this dosn't work result to concerling.

Answer 7

You can't. You can get them treatment, put them in a hospital where they will be monitered. Anorexics know every trick in the book. I actually just finished reading a true story of an anorexic girl. It is a disease, they don't see themselves as sick or thin.

Answer 8

YOU CAN'T. IT'S PART OF THE DISORDER. THEY GET A SENSE OF SATISFACTION OUT OF STARVING. IT MAKES THEM FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IN CONTROL.
IF YOU REALLY LOVE THEM, YOU WILL GET THEM SOME PREFESSIONAL HELP.
THERE ARE NO MEDICATIONS THAT CAN HELP THIS. IT IS ABOUT THE WAY THEY THINK, AND THEIR LACK OF COPING SKILLS. THEY NEED TO GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE, AND LEARN NEW COPING SKILLS.
GOOGLE "PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATES"

Answer 9

You need to get help for your loved one, by any means necessary. It's not going to be easy, but it needs to be done-- he or she will thank you when it's over. Good luck.

Answer 10

Force them to go to their favorite restraunt, and eat in front of them. Eventaully, it might get to them