[MUSIC PLAYING] An eating disorder is a mental health condition that can develop when a young person feels overwhelmed by difficult emotions or stress. Controlling food or eating habits may become their way of trying to cope. It's not about the food itself, but about how they're feeling inside. It can be very frightening to find out your child has an eating disorder. While you take the time to find out more, here are some tips from parents and experts which may help you to support your child. Tip one, educate yourself about healthy eating and what constitutes an eating disorder. Every child and every eating disorder is slightly different. A bit of dieting or faddy eating is one thing, but for some restriction, purging, and weight loss or gain can become a bigger concern. The primary concern might be body shape or weight, but it might be something else. Food over or under consumption can give short term relief to low mood or anxiety. There may be an intense focus on body shape because of a sport like ballet or gymnastics. Notice if any of these are leading to issues with disordered eating. Know your child and know what's a problem. The more you understand what is happening, the better equipped you'll be to seek and provide the right support. Tip two, create a safe space for open conversations. Eating disorders thrive on secrecy, so gentle, non-judgmental, open discussions are essential. Timing and phrasing are key. Choose a calm time to talk, not around meal times and say what you've noticed using I statements like, I've noticed you've been less hungry than usual tool instead of you need help, which might be seen as accusatory. Your child may feel guilty, ashamed, defensive, or withdrawn. Stay patient, listen, and reassure them that you want to understand. This is unlikely to be resolved in one conversation, so stay calm, supportive, and commit to talk again if things get very emotional. Tip three, be strong and act if needed. As with all aspects of parenting, you need to be both kind and strong. They may push you away or reason with you that things are fine, and they may be, but don't let their emotions push you off track. You might agree with them to watch and wait for a few weeks. Ask them to keep a food diary and suggest weighing them over time to monitor how they're doing. Then if things don't change or they get worse, you need to act. Significant weight loss needs intervention and quickly. Young people often can't change these things alone. Tip four, seek professional help. Involving a professional may be essential. The first step is a visit to your GP. Encourage them to make the appointment themselves. If that's too difficult, you can see the GP yourself to ask for help and get a professional view on the severity of the symptoms. Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions requiring specialist treatment. The sooner your child receives support, the easier it is to change their thinking and behaviour. Seeking professional advice early is crucial. Tip five, keep meal times as stress free as possible. Maintain a positive and consistent routine. Making meals a family affair. It's the ritualistic coming together that research shows is important for young people's mental health. Create a calm atmosphere. Avoid discussing food, calories, or portion sizes. No nagging or interrogation, just like conversation. Model healthy eating habits and a relaxed attitude around food to create a supportive environment around them. Tip six, be patient. Remember that recovery takes time. There's no overnight fix to disordered eating. So be kind to yourself and try to manage your own expectations. Your child may take some time to accept help, and setbacks are a normal part of progress. Avoid conflict if their readiness doesn't match your desire for action. Instead, focus on listening and understanding, even when progress feels slow. Remember, they're not choosing this, and you're on the same team. Stay compassionate and remind yourself that healing takes time. Tip seven, don't underestimate the power of your love and support. Delighting in your child for who they are communicated through a look, a smile, or a supportive comment goes a long way. Build their confidence by praising their strengths and achievements, and be open about your own feelings to encourage honest conversations. Most importantly, reassure them that they are loved, valued, and that they are never alone. Tip eight, remember to take care of your own well-being. Parents and carers can sometimes feel shame too, but it can help to share your journey and your worries with friends and family. With Early intervention and proper treatment, your child can make a full recovery. Good luck. If you'd like more information on eating disorders and where to go for help, please look on the Nip in the Bud website, nipinthebud.org.