Cape Breton eating disorders support group started by mom

A New Waterford, N.S., woman whose teenage daughter was diagnosed with anorexia in 2013 is launching a family support group in Cape Breton.

Nancy Sheppard's daughter was eventually hospitalized because of changes in her liver function and a low heart rate. She has since recovered. 

"It's scary; it's very scary. It's emotional," said Nancy Sheppard. 

"It affects the whole family, especially when you're trying to tell her to just eat, because her body needs this and yet she's terrified to put this food in and you're trying to explain to her that it could be fatal, you could actually die from this."

She said it was difficult to find understanding support.

It's her biggest fear on a plate and you're asking her to confront that.- Nancy Sheppard

"We had support from the psychologist, the dietitian, doctors, pediatricians, friends, family, but until you have that lived experience with another parent who has been there, done that, other people have no idea," said Sheppard.

"They can offer support, they can offer suggestions, but it's a parent who is going through that at the time that's the one that understands. They have empathy." 

Sheppard said it's difficult for people to understand what it's like to live with someone dealing with an eating disorder.

A psychologist once explained it to her as facing the thing you're most afraid of in the world.

"To us, we just expect, 'Well it's there. Just eat it. Why can't you just eat it? You need it, your body needs it; eat it,'" said Sheppard.

"Three meals a day, three snacks a day, that's what she's going through. It's her biggest fear on a plate and you're asking her to confront that." 

Help needed across Nova Scotia

Shaleen Jones is the coordinator of Eating Disorders Nova Scotia. 

The registered charity offers peer and family support in the Halifax Regional Municipality and it's expanding support to Cape Breton.

Jones had anorexia as a teenager. She said help is needed across the province. 

"There's so much secrecy and shame and stigma around eating disorders. I think when people hear my story or hear the stories of others who have been through it, there's that appetite to know more about what helped you get better, what did your parents say, what can we do differently," said Jones.

"There aren't a great deal of resources and support for families and folks with eating disorders in our province, so being able to talk to people who have recovered, who have been through that and being able to ask those questions, I think is really invaluable." 

Sheppard said her daughter is in recovery now and she's looking forward to helping other families through the support group.

"My daughter is doing very well now. She's healthy, happy, back with her friends. Everything has changed for the better. She's a happy, healthy girl, and it wasn't that way before." 

The first meeting of the Cape Breton family support group for people with eating disorders will take place Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the community meeting room at the Prince Street Sobeys in Sydney.