Eating disorders are characterized by disconnection from self and others (Tantillo et al., 2013). For example, in the early stages of treatment, young people often exhibit sullenness and resistance to getting help. Or they may appear scared, compliant, and concerned about their parents’ growing distress about their illness. In both scenarios, malnutrition-induced neurological challenges exacerbate the disconnection and isolation these young people feel. As they become more immersed in their symptoms, they become unplugged from their families, friends, and themselves.

This disconnection significantly influences the dynamic between parents and children grappling with eating disorders. Eating disorders often give youth a false sense of self-sufficiency, as their fear of weight gain leads them to feel at odds with well-meaning adults promoting healthier eating. Shrouded in secrecy, the disorder pushes young people to protect their unhealthy weight loss efforts, further distancing them from supportive adults.

The fixation on weight loss, fear of gaining weight, and body dissatisfaction obscure the true aspects of a young........

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