My superpower is that I’m obnoxious ;)
Meaning, in this kind of case, I’d most likely -since I have in the past- walk in with a case of meal replacement shakes, open one, hand it to them, and tell them to drink.
Any argument? Fine. Shrug. Walk out the door. Leaving both the drink and the case.
I don’t do power plays around food. I’m not going to slather attention on someone who knows they’re hurting themselves, and has the resources to hand to deal with it. I’m not going to argue wih them, or force feed them, or chase them around pleading and begging, or guilting and shaming (I WILL very cheerfully do any of the above with certain other things ;) Weapons are meant to be used, but used to a purpose). Because all that bathing them in attention or argument is doing; is rewarding f*cking shitty behavior, if it’s BPD attention seeking being fed whilst the body starves; or making an internal argument harder by giving them an outside source to argue with, if its pure anorexia. Nope. Not going to make it easy/hard on them by focusing their rage at me. They can focus it where it needs to be. The internal argument. Not uniting against a common foe.
I will solve the immediate problem, access, and then I will walk my happy ass out the door.
Less than a week, or more than 2 weeks? My actions would be different. 2+ weeks, I’d ring 999 and have them sectioned. Anorexia is the single most lethal disorder out there, and you’re looking at organ failure at around 2 weeks. They’re also going to be half mad/delusional/erratic as f*ck, if they’re conscious, so it’s an exceptionally easy 999 call to make. A) they’re dying & B) they’re incapable of making rational decisions. Either of which rates a boot to the neck. Under a week, meanwhile, I’d be far more willing to hangout, as long as it’s clear they’re not attempting to manipulate me into being the bad guy for them to quit arguing with themselves, and turn on me. The moment THAT little bit of nonsense happens, I tell them I won’t play, and walk out. It almost never gets to that point, because under a week is just a slip, for most people, most of the time. They’ve forgotten to eat, rather than are fighting against themselves.
^^^^
THIS is just what I’ve done in similar situations... being a smidge anorexic myself, and having trauma related food issues up to my eyeballs. What I would recommend anyone ELSE does? Is actually to call their ED specialist and ask them what to do. Because doing that does 2 things; 1) It clues them in that their client/patient is lapsing or relapsing, if they didn’t already know & 2) It’s concrete advice from someone familiar with that persons case.
The reason I shared what I would do is a) you asked... & b) so you could see that calling their specialist or 999 isn’t the “worst” scenario in the book. To the contrary, it’s one of the more reserved/helpful ones for supporters to action.
