How can I care for and support a loved one who has diabulimia?

How can I care for and support a loved one who has diabulimia?

There are multiple things you can do to help and support someone with diabetes and diabulimia, including:

• Learn about Type 1 diabetes and diabulimia: Educate yourself about diabulimia and the ins and outs of diabetes to better understand what they are going through. Don’t assume you know what they are experiencing.
• Be empathetic: Don’t downplay or dismiss their feelings and experiences. Let them know that you are there to listen and support them. Try to put yourself in their shoes. Don’t shame them for mismanaging their diabetes.
• Encourage them to seek help and/or treatment: While having an understanding and supportive friend or family member is helpful to a person with diabulimia, anorexia is a medical and mental health condition. Because of this, people with diabulimia need treatment, such as therapy and medical intervention to manage their condition. Encourage them to talk to their healthcare provider if they are experiencing the signs and symptoms of diabulimia
• Be patient: It can take a while for someone with diabulimia to fully stop withholding insulin once they’ve started treatment. Know that Type 1 diabetes is a demanding and complex condition and that their behaviors and management will eventually improve with treatment and support.