At Montreux we are firm believers in the benefit of unconditional love. We build an environment of consistent support. Given the onslaught of unrelenting negativity, showering the client with positivity is necessary to create balance. Unconditional love counteracts the harsh voice of the Negative Mind as it teases out the possibility of reconnecting with the Actual Mind. It lures the Actual Mind into a place of comparison of stark opposites: the punishment of the Negative Mind and the caringness of unconditional love. The sufferer eventually allows the unconditional love because it feels so much better and is certainly more conducive to healthy living.

During the early phases of recovery the CNC victim may continually test boundaries to ensure his own safety. We find it mandatory, therefore, to stay close to the client at all times. The use of unconditional positive support, caring and a normal perspective enables the sufferer to feel secure.

Safe boundaries are imperative for healing. There can be no bargaining with the Negative Mind. The victim will feel misunderstood and helpless. Any compromise strengthens the Negative Mind’s position and weakens the sufferer.

Anything that encourages external focus and concentration, that keeps the person in the present moment, can be helpful. The goal of distraction is to keep the victim from disappearing inside the Negative Mind. Lively conversation, board games, pool, Ping-Pong, humor, art, writing, studying foreign languages, and other educational outlets can be helpful. However, be aware that watching TV can allow a person to “zone out” and give the Negative Mind an opening for silent abuse.

Sufferers with CNC are wounded and extremely frightened. There is great therapeutic value to soothe with healing words, sitting by the bedside, rocking, and gentle touch. The sufferer needs comfort and security to offset the terror of his mental state.

Another useful tool in assisting the CNC victim is to hunt for ulterior motives to his behavior. In understanding motivations, we are creating a sense of security, deep trust and an alliance with the Actual Mind. The sufferer then realizes that the battle is not his alone to fight.

As a victim gains a better grasp on reality, reversing the subjectivity of the Negative Mind helps him begin to put his life into a more tenable perspective. Because he is subjective in so many areas of his life, objectivity training, logic, becomes an important tool to total recovery. Explaining that perception is not always reality, coupled with gentle guidance, helps the sufferer step outside the situation and see it as an objective observer would.

Helping the CNC victim is like bringing up a small child. The sufferer’s emotional development has been arrested. At some juncture, his subjective perspective and self-loathing culminated into illness. As a result it produced turmoil and confusion. It helps to remember that it took time to develop CNC. It will therefore take time to recover from it.

For further detailed information on any of these topics please refer to
“The Secret Language of Eating Disorders,” by Peggy Claude-Pierre.