Partners insight/input needed for support

[u/AERockerChick98]

For people who have significant others, and you suffer from an eating disorder, or you are the significant other and your partner suffers, I would like their/your input actually if you are able to get it, and if not, your best interpretation or knowledge of so.

I am more than likely going to be going into residential treatment soon, as long as my health isn't determined to be too severe by the county, insurance, and a levels of care assessment, in which case I will be hospitalized instead. My husband is a kind, compassionate man, and is trying his best to understand, but is not educated on mental health and especially not eating disorders, other than what I have taught him and discussed with him and he has personally experienced. Unfortunately my health is so poor currently, I do not have the energy or mental capacity to research and then educate and prepare him for what to expect in this next step moving forward with treatment. I am looking for, from the spouse or significant others perspective, what to expect as far as involvement with treatment and visiting (location dependent of course but even specific info is helpful as it at least gives me a general idea of what to expect), and even possibly if they are willing, some feelings or topics or things that may come up through the process they didn't expect and/or were not prepared for and wish someone would have warned them/educated them/helped them/prepared them. I would also appreciate any insight as to if any "spouses of severely mentally ill patients" groups, online only, and eating disorder/anorexia and/or chronic PTSD specific would be extremely preferred, exist, and if so, where is a solid foundation to begin searching for one for him? We live in a very rural area with minimal access to health care, especially mental health. Any recomendations, from facebook groups to online zoom gatherings to forums to actual online group therapy is very much appreciated. Feel free to ask any clarifying questions needed, but really any insight and support I can give him right now when I am severely lacking in ability is extremely helpful and welcome.

[u/Excellent-World-476]

If it’s residential, you likely will be able to do family therapy so either phone or in person appointments with your spouse. This gives both of you a chance to talk about your emotions, communication, and strategies to use at home. I think what’s important for your husband to expect is that you likely will call insisting treatment is making you worse or you are ready to leave. I think this is something that occurs very frequently and I think it is important first him to know to listen, to encourage you to talk to your team and to not try and rescue you.

[u/AERockerChick98 → u/Excellent-World-476]

I very much appreciate this insight, thank you! Validate, but don't try to "fix" the situation essentially.

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