Leading a horse to water

"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink" is an important analogy for food and eating disorders, but not the way you may think.

The "water" is really the motivation and insight of longterm recovery. No, we can't make them want to get well or understand that they are unwell or how they will individually fight the illness.

The "water" is not the food, however.

Three meals and two snacks - FULL nutrition with fats and proteins and vitamins and fiber and carbs - these are necessary for ALL eating disorder treatment. They are not optional. They are the "leading the horse" and not the "water."

Our job is to get them to the water and love them patiently and unconditionally and keep them safe until they are able to drink!

Comments

  1. well put! what a breathe of fresh air to not have all the responsibility put on the victim's shoulders.

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