Eating disorders are very complicated, and both male and female teenagers can suffer from them. In many cases, treatment at an eating disorder center is necessary to help a person recover from an eating disorder. Treatment at an eating disorder center is incredibly beneficial for a person with an eating disorder, but it is important to realize that a person is not magically healed of their illness after treatment. If you are the parent of a teenager recovering from an eating disorder, it is important to know what to expect after your child completes his or her in-patient treatment. Use the following tips to help care for your child when he or she returns home.

Cut Yourself Some Slack

Parenting is a very hard job, and it can be even more difficult when you're trying to support your child through his or her recovery from an eating disorder. During this challenging time, it is important to know that you do not need to be perfect -- your love and support is what your child needs most. Do not feel surprised if you experience a wide range of emotions when your child returns from in-patient treatment at an eating disorder center. It is completely normal to feel anxious, stressed out, overwhelmed, upset, or nervous.

Keep Activities to a Minimum

When your child returns home from treatment, he or she may want to immediately resume their normal life and activities. However, it is a good idea to limit the activities that your teenager engages in for the first several days after returning home. During the transition back into normal life after being treated for an eating disorder, it is important for your child to get a lot of rest, stay well hydrated, and eat nutritious food. Just like it takes some time to get over having the flu, an eating disorder is also an illness and your child will need their rest.

Don't Make Meals All About Food

Meal times with your teenager may be difficult after he or she goes through treatment for an eating disorder. As a parent, it is normal to want to push your child to eat and make sure that he or she consumes enough food. But, during the recovery phase, it is much better to keep the mood light and not make meal times all about food. Instead, try to engage in meaningful conversations that the whole family can participate in. 

For more information, contact a company like Center for Change Eating Disorder Treatments.