How Do I Convince Parents My Eating Disorder Is Not Attention Seeking?

Mackenzie is convinced she has an eating disorder. Her parents think she’s doing it just to get attention. Dawson says this is very serious, and her parents need to KNOCK IT OFF!

Eating Disorder is Not Attention Seeking

MACKENZIE (MN) QUESTION:

Mackenzie (MN): I’m having problems with myself and my parents. I’m convinced I have an eating disorder. A few months ago, I started binging and purging. Whenever I try talking to my parents about it, they accuse me of just wanting to get attention. That really hurts my feelings.

Dawson: That’s a bunch of bull.

Mackenzie: I just want to know what I can do or say to them to make them not so mean towards me and to help them understand how I’m feeling.

DAWSON MCALLISTER’S ANSWER:

Dawson: We’re going to go talk to our high school counselor tomorrow, and you’re going to tell them what you just told me. And say, I’ve got to get therapy right now.

Mackenzie: I’m actually in therapy right now.

Dawson: Then your therapist ought to call in your parents and say, KNOCK IT OFF! This is serious business and you’re making matters worse. If I were your therapist, I’d be in your parent’s face.

Mackenzie: I really haven’t told him what they’ve been saying to me.

Dawson: How can the therapist help you if you’re holding back?

Mackenzie: I guess I’m just afraid.

Dawson: I’m afraid of you dying of anorexia someday. I’m afraid of you half destroying your body with bulimia. That’s what I’m afraid of. I’m afraid this is going to get a whole lot worse.

Mackenzie: I don’t want it to get worse.

Dawson: Well, it will, if you don’t tell the truth.

Mackenzie: I’m just afraid that my parents are going to keep on telling me that I’m doing it for attention.

Dawson: Well then…MOVE OUT because they are dead wrong. Any counselor or therapist worth their weight in counseling is smart enough and wise enough to know that your parents need to knock it off. But they can’t read your mind, so tell the truth, all the truth. I sympathize with you, but you can’t expect to get well if you’re not telling the whole truth.