03/31/2026
When someone has an eating disorder, appearance-based compliments can be harmful because they keep the focus on weight or looks—things that are often already tied to their self-worth. Even positive comments can create pressure to maintain a certain appearance or reinforce unhealthy behaviors.
Non-appearance-based compliments are important because they shift the focus to who the person is. Complimenting things like their kindness, effort, or personality helps build a more stable sense of self-worth. In everyday life, this supports recovery by reminding them they’re valued for more than how they look.