How do I deal with a mother who is eating disordered?

Let me first say, I have been suffering from bulimia for many years and have been both inpatient and outpatient for it.

My mother is eating disordered. I have known for years (probably had inklings in grade school), but it wasn鈥檛 until I developed my own issues that it became a problem for me. After going to college out of state, my ED (and bipolar disorder) have forced me to move back in with my parents, because I wouldn鈥檛 be able to pay my medical bills otherwise.

Being away at school was a nice 鈥渂reak鈥?from my mom, but now that I鈥檓 home, I can鈥檛 get away from her food and body issues. It鈥檚 infuriating. She chews-spits, starves herself, over-exercises, and abuses laxatives. Also, she is shorter and much thinner than me, and is constantly 鈥渙n a diet.鈥? What message does this send me about myself? Not a good one.

I can't move out. I don't have the money, I am still in school, and I have too many medical problems to live by myself. I need help to deal with this.

If you are getting counseling for your problems you could talk to your conselor and ask if it would be ok to include your mother in your sessions. It may help her to see her own problems and it would benefit you as well since her eating disorder directly affects how you feel about yourself.