Receiving an eating disorder diagnosis can bring a mix of emotions. You might feel relieved to finally have answers, frightened about what comes next, or unsure where to begin. For parents, partners, and loved ones, it can be equally difficult to know how to help. One of the first questions many people ask is, “What…
DetailsMost parents don’t wake up one morning and suddenly realise their child has an eating disorder. More often, it starts with a feeling. A quiet sense that something isn’t quite right. Perhaps meals have become more difficult. Maybe your child seems more anxious than usual. Perhaps you’ve noticed foods disappearing from their plate, excuses to…
DetailsWhen a child is diagnosed with an eating disorder, many parents experience two emotions at the same time. Relief. And fear. Relief that there is finally an explanation for what has been happening. Fear about what comes next. Questions often flood in. How serious is this? Will they recover? What does treatment involve? How do…
DetailsMany parents spend days, weeks or even months rehearsing this conversation in their heads. You notice changes. You feel concerned. You know you need to say something. But what? And how? What if they get angry? What if they deny anything is wrong? What if you make things worse? If these questions feel familiar, you’re…
DetailsDiscovering that your child may have an eating disorder can be one of the most frightening experiences a parent faces. Many parents describe feeling confused, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Questions often arise quickly. Is this a phase? Have I missed something? How do I help? What treatment does my child need? If you…
DetailsWhen anxiety is high or mood feels low, eating can become one of the first things to shift. You might skip meals without noticing, lose your appetite, feel overwhelmed by food choices, or find your eating pattern becomes irregular. Over time, this can leave you feeling even more depleted, more anxious, and less able to…
DetailsFeeling constantly low on energy can be frustrating, confusing, and at times, overwhelming. It can show up as physical fatigue, mental fog, lack of motivation, or a sense that even simple tasks feel harder than they should. For many people, this experience sits at the intersection of both physical and mental health, and it is…
DetailsA guide for parents and carers The teenage years bring rapid change. Bodies grow. Emotions intensify. Social comparison increases. Appetite can shift. Independence develops. It can be difficult to know what is typical teenage behaviour and what may be a sign of something more concerning. If you have been wondering whether something feels different with…
DetailsA practical guide for families, partners and friends If you’re reading this, chances are you’re worried about someone you care about. You may have noticed changes in their eating. Maybe food has become stressful. Maybe meals feel tense. Maybe there’s secrecy, restriction, bingeing, rigid rules, or constant body criticism. It can feel confusing and confronting.…
DetailsWhen someone begins eating disorder recovery, it’s completely understandable to want quick answers. Questions like: Should I be taking supplements? Do I need to target specific nutrients? What’s the “right” plan for my body? These questions often come from a place of wanting relief, certainty, or reassurance — and that makes sense. At Myrtle Oak…
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