Strong Enough by Eating Disorders Families Australia

Sibling support and family connections with EDFA Counsellor Alisha Mah

Strong Enough by Eating Disorders Families Australia

Show Notes

When there’s a diagnosis of an eating disorder in a family it often impacts more than just one person and the rest of the family, particularly siblings, can feel the wide reaching ripples of change, of worry and concern, of isolation and even anger.

It’s a whole other layer of suffering that comes with unique challenges, which is why Eating Disorders Families Australia runs separate support groups for siblings, allowing them to ask questions in a safe space with moderators who have lived experience.

But what can you do as a carer to support your other children or family members when a loved one is diagnosed? How can a sibling support a sister or brother diagnosed with an eating disorder?

Alisha Mah is one of EDFA’s counsellors, working in the Fill The Gap program that offers free online sessions for carers. She also has lived experience as both a sibling and a carer for a loved one with an eating disorder.

In this episode Alisha shares many helpful insights into the sibling challenges, about family routines and traditions, about birthdays and events, as well ways to speak to the family members who don’t understand.

If you would like to speak to Alisha or any of EDFA’s counsellors then head to EDFA's Fill The Gap counselling service - a one-on-one free online counselling service.

Book a free counselling session with EDFA’s Fill The Gap program here: https://edfa.org.au/counselling-service/

EDFA runs multiple online eating disorder support groups to support the carers and siblings of people diagnosed with eating disorders ranging from anorexia and bulimia to food avoidance disorder and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder, also known as ARFID.

Join Eating Disorders Families Australia Sibling Support group: https://edfa.org.au/siblings-support/

Website: https://edfa.org.au/ Become an EDFA Member: https://edfa.org.au/become-a-member/ for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a month.

Visit EDFA resources library: https://edfa.org.au/video-resource-library/

For more information click on these links to the EDFA website: Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Binge Eating Disorder ARFID - Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder OSFED - Other Specified Feeding & Eating Disorders

#eatingdisordersiblings #siblingsupportanorexia #eatingdisordersupportsiblings #restrictiveeatingdisorder #eatingdisordercounselling #familysupporteatingdisorders

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Strong Enough by Eating Disorders Families Australia

Aug 18, 2026

When a loved one is diagnosed with an eating disorder it can throw ordinary people into a chaotic medical world and often times into the hospital system for what can be life or death treatment. It can be daunting and distressing.

Jul 28, 2026

Physios might not be the first profession that comes to mind when you are thinking about eating disorder care but in this latest episode of Strong Enough Senior Physiotherapist Sally Partington explains the unique set of skills that can aid recovery.

Jun 30, 2026

Have you ever heard the expression I’ve had a gutful or I’ve got a gut feeling about this? Or maybe the adage you are what you eat? Well like many old sayings there’s a real world link and today’s guest Accredited Practising Dietitian Kim Menzies is going to unpack for us the incredible connection between the brain and the gut - in fact the gut is now often called our ‘second brain’. There are often gastrointestinal problems linked to eating disorders. Some common gut issues can trigger disordered eating and in turn disordered eating can cause gut or stomach problems. Digestive issues during and after eating disorders are very common. This episode is an edited version of a special EDFA member webinar – if you’d like to access more resources like this then join EDFA or you can buy the new Strong Enough book written by carers just like you, who share lived experience tips and advice.

Jun 2, 2026

Katie Bennett Stenton is the kind of powerhouse you want in your orbit. This is a woman who manages crisis issues for a living so she’s cool, collected and compassionate. Deeply optimistic, she is a firm believer that grit and perseverance will overcome anything.

May 5, 2026

Eating disorder recovery can be a complex rollercoaster with many moving parts. And treatment can include a mix of medical monitoring, nutrition, medicine and most often some kind of therapy.

See all episodes →