There is a lot of confusion about the seriousness of eating disorders.People tell their friends that they must have an eating disorder if they are always thin.They refer to someone as anorexic.There are disorders that are not laughing.They can be deadly.If you or someone you know is showing signs of an eating disorder, you need to get help as soon as possible.Learn how to identify eating disorders, get help, and maintain your recovery.
Step 1: Be with someone you trust.
Talking about an eating disorder is the first step in recovery.You will feel relieved when you share with someone else, even though it can be frightening.If you don't want to cast judgement on someone, choose someone who has always been supportive of you.When you can talk to this person in private, set a time.Be patient.It is possible that your loved one is shocked, confused, or hurt that you have been on your own.Tell me about the symptoms you noticed and when they started.You can discuss the physical and emotional consequences of your eating disorder.Give this person an idea of how she can help you.Do you want her to hold you accountable for eating right?Do you want this person to accompany you to the doctor?Let your loved one know how to support you.
Step 2: Pick a specialist.
Sharing your condition with a loved one will make you feel more confident about seeking professional help.Choosing a health care team that has experience treating eating disorders is the best hope for a full recovery.You can find eating disorder specialists by asking for a referral from your family doctor, calling local hospitals or medical centers, or reaching out to your school counselor.
Step 3: Determine which treatment plan is best for you.
Determine the type of treatment that will suit your situation by working with your doctor or counselor.There are many effective treatment options for eating disorders.Individual psychotherapy allows you to work one-on-one with a therapist to uncover some of the causes of your condition and to develop healthier ways of responding to it.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing unhelpful thought patterns that influence your relationship with food and your body, is an effective therapeutic approach.Family therapy can help guide parents with useful tools on caring for a teenager with an eating disorder and bringing healthier lifestyle habits into the household for long term recovery.Medical monitoring is needed to make sure that you are regaining essential bodily functions as you progress through treatment.Your doctor can record your weight.To maintain or return to a healthy weight, you need to meet with a registered dietitian on an ongoing basis to ensure that you are consuming adequate calories and macro-nutrients.This professional will help you change your relationship with food into a positive one.When there is an eating disorder and a co-occurring illness, medication is often prescribed.Anti-anxiety meds, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers are some of the common medications prescribed to help with eating disorder recovery.
Step 4: Try different approaches for the best result.
A combination of therapy and medical care is the best way to recover from eating disorders.Any co-occurring illnesses should be included in your treatment plan.
Step 5: There is a support group.
It can be good to know that you are not alone.It is possible to find a local support group through your treatment center or therapist's office.
Step 6: Negative thoughts can be challenged.
When you are afflicted with an eating disorder, negative thoughts can seem to rule your life.You might criticize yourself for eating an entire meal if you want to gain an extra pound.Recovering from thought patterns is essential.Take a few days to notice what you're thinking.It's a good idea to label certain thoughts as negative or helpful.Think about how such thoughts might affect you.If you identify if they are unrealistic, you can combat negative thoughts.If you find yourself thinking, "I will never get to a healthy weight," you might ask yourself how you could possibly know such a thing.Is it possible to predict the future?Of course not.You can replace your unproductive thoughts with more realistic ones, such as, "It is taking me awhile to get to a healthy weight, but I can do it."
Step 7: Fight stress by learning how.
Stress can be a cause of eating disorders.Positive methods for stress-management can help you recover.Regular exercise is a great way to fight stress.It is recommended that you sleep at least 7 to 9 hours each night.You should get a hobby.You can listen to music and dance.Spend time with people who are positive and supportive.Walk your dog.Take a long bath.When you have too much on your plate, learn how to say no.It's time to release perfectionistic tendencies.
Step 8: A balanced diet and exercise plan is needed.
Eating and physical activity are important for health.People with eating disorders have bad relationships with certain things.To maintain optimal health, you need to work with your doctor and dietitian to determine a safe balance of exercise and a well-rounded diet.
Step 9: You should wear clothing that makes you feel good.
It's important to feel good about the clothes you wear.Select items that are flattering and comfortable to your current body size and shape rather than choosing clothes for your "ideal" body, or wearing clothing that completely hides your figure.
Step 10: Give it some time.
Recovering from an eating disorder takes time.You may be able to overcome the negative behavior patterns that drive your disorder after a number of relapses.Stay at it.Don't give in.If you are persistent, recovery can be yours.
Step 11: There are eating disorders.
To find out more about the risk and seriousness of eating disorders, it is advisable to perform a cursory internet search.Only a doctor or mental health provider can officially diagnose an eating disorder, but learning more can help you understand how life-threatening these conditions can be, and motivate you to get help.There are a lot of types of eating disorders.obsessive preoccupation with body size and weightA person with this condition may fear gaining weight and think she is overweight even when she's severely underweight.People may refuse to eat.Some people with an eating disorder may take drugs to lose weight.Binge eating involves periods of uncontrollably consuming large amounts of food and then being compensated for by taking laxatives, exercising excessively, or a combination of these methods.Many people with this condition have an average weight.A person can eat large amounts of food even if they are not hungry.People with the eating disorder may be unable to control their eating habits.Individuals suffering from binge eating disorder do not engage in compensatory behaviors.People with BED are more likely to be overweight or obese.
Step 12: Take the time to observe and document your symptoms.
You may notice some symptoms of your own eating disorders once you learn more about them.Paying attention to your symptoms as well as your thoughts and feelings can be helpful when seeking professional help.You can record your symptoms in a journal to help your doctor understand your eating disorder.Writing in your journal daily can help you spot the connections between your thought patterns and behaviors, which can be useful for your recovery treatment.You can log an episode of binge-eating.Think about what happened before the show.What were you thinking?Feelings?Who were you hanging out with?What are you talking about?Log how you felt after.What feelings came over you?
Step 13: Clues can be found about how your disorder developed.
It is possible to think about when and how your symptoms began.Pinpointing such details can help your doctor diagnose your condition.When you start to make lifestyle changes during treatment, thinking about causes can help.The cause of eating disorders is not known.Many people have parents or siblings with eating disorders, and may have been raised with strong social or cultural ideals of thinness.They may have low self-esteem and be exposed to images of thinness from peers or the media.