Key points

Teens heal best when parents stay connected, honest, and actively involved in recovery.

Parental firmness and compassion can restore safety when anorexia clouds sound judgment.

Transparency and open dialogue help dismantle secrecy and bring the illness into the light.

Even one steady, loving adult can anchor recovery with courage, empathy, and clarity.

For most parents, raising a teenager means learning to step back to allow space for independence, growth, and separation. We’re taught that this is how teens develop autonomy and confidence . So when a teen develops an eating disorder , everything about effective parenting suddenly feels upside down. The idea of stepping in, taking control, and limiting independence can feel counterintuitive, even risky. Many parents

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