Being vulnerable about your eating disorder can be terrifying, even with the ones we most love and trust. The shame and stigma surrounding eating disorders make it difficult to breach the topic of your mental health with the people who care about you.
Maintaining stable relationships with loved ones in recovery can be challenging. People with eating disorders often isolate themselves and act differently than they do when they are not struggling. That does not mean all hope is lost or that you, as part of their support system, should give up or stop doing what is best for them.
You may believe you can manage your recovery and healing from your eating disorder alone, but getting support is essential. It is human nature to both need and seek support, comfort, and accompaniment from loved ones, peers, and other beings. Finding a stable support system can be challenging. However, it is worth pursuing because it is crucial for a successful recovery.
When people discuss navigating body image, you usually see tips about the summertime when the weather warms, the sun comes out, and fewer clothes are worn. However, body image is not something to navigate once a year; rather, it ebbs and flows through time and needs to be managed year-round on an “as needed” basis.
Eating disorders can look different across individuals and can look different within diagnoses. And while the stereotypical eating disorder patient is portrayed as incredibly thin, avoiding food, and over-exercising, eating disorders do not discriminate. They can take many forms. If you think a loved one is struggling, consider the signs below before considering how you might approach them or look to support them.
The stress is winding down, but now the uncertainty of the upcoming winter break is upon you. The shifts in your predictable daily routine and the worry of how people will respond to the changes in your actions, behaviors, and body when you return home from school can be unpleasant and stressful.
Learn how to remove morality from food during the holidays with practical tips. Enjoy a stress-free season by neutralizing your relationship with food.
Discover five essential tips for navigating Thanksgiving while in eating disorder recovery. Empower yourself with strategies for less stress and more gratitude.
Going back to school with an eating disorder is daunting for students in recovery. For parents of these students, sending your child back to school can be just as nerve-wracking. Academic and social environments may not be conducive to recovery, and the urge to protect them from triggers can feel overwhelming.
