When there’s a diagnosis of an eating disorder in a family it often impacts more than just one person and the rest of the family, particularly siblings, can feel the wide reaching ripples of change, of worry and concern, of isolation and even anger.

It’s a whole other layer of suffering that comes with unique challenges, which is why Eating Disorders Families Australia runs separate support groups for siblings, allowing them to ask questions in a safe space with moderators who have lived experience.

But what can you do as a carer to support your other children or family members when a loved one is diagnosed? How can a sibling support a sister or brother diagnosed with an eating disorder?

Alisha Mah is one of EDFA’s counsellors, working in the Fill The Gap program that offers free online sessions for carers. She also has lived experience as both a sibling and a carer for a loved one with an eating disorder.

In this episode Alisha shares many helpful insights into the sibling challenges, about family routines and traditions, about birthdays and events, as well ways to speak to the family members who don’t understand.

If you would like to speak to Alisha or any of EDFA’s counsellors then head to EDFA's Fill The Gap counselling service - a one-on-one free online counselling service.

Book a free counselling session with EDFA’s Fill The Gap program here: https://edfa.org.au/counselling-service/

EDFA runs multiple online eating disorder support groups to support the carers and siblings of people diagnosed with eating disorders ranging from anorexia and bulimia to food avoidance disorder and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder, also known as ARFID.

Join Eating Disorders Families Australia Sibling Support group: https://edfa.org.au/siblings-support/

Website: https://edfa.org.au/

Become an EDFA Member: https://edfa.org.au/become-a-member/ for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a month.

Visit EDFA resources library: https://edfa.org.au/video-resource-library/ 

For more information click on these links to the EDFA website:

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge Eating Disorder

ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

OSFED - Other Specified Feeding & Eating Disorders

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