Understanding Excessive Exercise as part of an Eating Disorder

16. How can you help: Approaching a person

If you are concerned about someone, you may want to approach them directly. There are three common ways that people tend to approach this, but only one of them is helpful.

Task: Read these three comments. How would you classify them? Which one do you consider the most helpful?

Drag all three conversation approach buttons below onto their matching statements. Aim to select the best approach with your first attempt.

Keyboard users can tab to the buttons representing conversation approaches and use the directional keys and the space bar to select and match each approach to the three comments listed and check their choice using the "Check Selection" button which appears.

Thinking that someone else will help the client, pupil or team member. Thinking you are not qualified in your professional role to speak to them. Being afraid to say something.

This statement is Avoidant and not the best approach to take.

It’s not your job to ‘fix’ anyone with a complex psychiatric problem but you can mention your concern sensitively and offer support within the boundaries of your knowledge and professional role. This can be: offering to listen to them, scheduling weekly check-ins or signposting to professional help.

This statement is Supportive and is the best approach.

Three draggable buttons representing common approaches to a conversation.

Avoidant Supportive Confrontational