Quotes For Support When Coping With An Eating Disorder

Medically reviewed by Majesty Purvis, LCMHC
Updated October 15, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

It can be difficult to understand the challenges of an eating disorder unless you have experienced them yourself. Whether you're living with anorexia, bulimia, or another condition, eating disorders are a personal subject. 

However, acknowledging that you have an eating disorder can be a significant step toward recovery. If you suspect or know you have an eating disorder, consider reaching out for support. In the meantime, you can check out the below quotes for support and solidarity.

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About eating disorders and why reading quotes may help

According to a recent study, more than 28 million people in the US have an eating disorder. In addition, 10 million of those people are men. Eating disorders can affect anyone across all genders, ages, and racial identities. 

Eating disorders encompass a range of conditions, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders, each characterized by distinct patterns of disordered eating behaviors and associated mental health concerns.

Living with an eating disorder can feel isolating. Regardless of your background, reading quotes from others about the challenges you're experiencing may be helpful. It could help you feel less alone to know that someone else has gone through the same. The following are quotes on eating disorders that you or someone you know might be able to relate to.

Advice from celebrities 

"Eating disorders are life-threatening illnesses that can affect anyone. It doesn't matter your age, your sex, or your ethnicity. Eating disorders don't discriminate." — Kesha

It can be beneficial not to assume that someone does or doesn't have an eating disorder because you can't always tell from the outside. Everyone has a unique body shape and size, and no set weight or size defines disordered eating. Remember that eating disorders can affect anyone anytime, so practice compassion for yourself and others.

"Complimenting someone on their weight loss can be as harmful as complimenting someone on their weight gain in regard to talking to someone in recovery from an eating disorder." — Demi Lovato

Lovato's quote can show that you may not know what someone is going through, so choosing your words wisely can be valuable. Even well-intentioned compliments can hurt a person with an eating disorder. For many people, recovery from an eating disorder doesn’t mean that all of the symptoms of thought patterns about their body image go away. This means that choosing your words can be just as important for those who have recovered from eating disorders. 

"I went through depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, and a lot of confusion because I didn't know what was going on. I felt very alone and weird. It wasn't until I got older that I realized that I was one of many, and so many people had overcome what I was going through." — Brittany Snow

Eating disorders can make you feel like you're all alone, but you're not. Snow's quote shows that many people are living with similar symptoms. As you start to tell people about your symptoms and reach out for support, you might find others who have gone through (or are still going through) an eating disorder. For example, you can contact an eating disorder support group in your area to make friends and find connections. 

"The most important thing we can do is not only admit it to ourselves but then to reach out for that help. The first step is exposing that secret and that struggle, and you have to take that first step before you can find freedom." — Candace Cameron Bure

Eating disorders can worsen when left untreated. Some people may fear admitting their eating disorder to themselves or others. Communicating such personal details with others can be complicated if you worry about invalidation, hospitalization, or emotional reactions. However, talking about your symptoms is one way to show others you want to find support. Asking for help is brave. 

"I now view food as energy for my mind and body rather than something to be scared of. It's fuel, not punishment. Because without it, I can't grow stronger, emotionally, mentally, and physically." — Lily Collins

A shift in your mindset may help you cope with eating disorder recovery. When you have an unhealthy relationship with food and see it more as an enemy than a friend, your eating disorder habits may worsen. A therapist can help you address these thoughts, and you might try practices like cognitive restructuring to find more positive ways to think about your daily experiences like Lily Collins mentioned.

Sayings to inspire you

"In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety." — Abraham Maslow

You might face uncomfortable decisions when breaking cycles of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Recovering from an eating disorder may be difficult; some people take longer than others to commit to the process. However, don't give up on yourself; remind yourself that what you're experiencing is not your fault. You can make a change by choosing your future.   

"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." — Buddha

You deserve to feel proud of yourself and have a deep sense of fulfillment for who you are. If you're willing to seek help, you may already have proof that you're dedicated to self-compassion. Often, eating disorders are prompted by underlying causes like maladaptive thoughts, childhood trauma, and other concerns. Once you commit to doing the work, you may feel more confident in your recovery process. 

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." — Flora Whittemore

Every morning when you wake up, try to decide to care for your mental health consciously. Your life is made up of choices and actions. Even if you make an unhealthy choice one day, you may be able to make healthier choices the next. Each day is a new, clean slate, and you may have some control over its events. 

"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" — Mary Anne Radmacher

You might expect applause and celebration when you accomplish a remarkable feat. However, others might not necessarily notice when you make strides in your eating disorder. Regardless, the way you celebrate your actions can make a difference. Try again when you make a mistake, reward yourself when you make an effort, and remind yourself you're doing your best. 

You can also ask those you love to support you and show pride. However, try not to allow the opinions of others to impact your self-esteem. If someone else invalidates your experience with your eating disorder, you can remain firm in knowing that their opinion doesn't speak about who you are and what you've accomplished. 

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face . . . Do the thing you think you cannot do." — Eleanor Roosevelt

It may be therapeutic to push yourself out of your comfort zone to show yourself that fear is often a liar. This concept is behind popular therapeutic modalities like exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which teaches clients to face their fear head-on to reduce the impact it may have. ERP has also been proven effective for eating disorders.

"Though no one can go back and make a new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new end." --- Carl Bard

Although you cannot return to the past, you can change the future. If you have goals you'd like to accomplish, consider writing them on a piece of paper, whiteboard, or notes app on your phone to remind yourself of what you want to complete. Look at it each time you start feeling discouraged about the past. You may find that it offers the motivation to continue. 

"Progress grows out of motion." --- Richard E. Byrd

If you are living with an eating disorder and want to live a healthier life, choose to make an improvement each day. Taking action may not look the same as it looks for someone else. Find a few ways to start caring for your body and mind today, and start taking them step by step.

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How to find help and support

Eating disorders can be challenging to talk about. A licensed therapist can guide you as you open up about your symptoms and make treatment goals. For many, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the first recommended eating disorder treatment. CBT is one of the most effective methods for recovering from an eating disorder. In one study, after five months of CBT treatment, 42% of participants had stopped binging and purging. After treatment, about 70% of participants were in remission from their eating disorder. 

If you face barriers to face-to-face treatment, such as cost, distance, or comfort, you can also try CBT online. Online CBT has many benefits for people with eating disorders. For example, you can get matched with a therapist quickly without being put on a waitlist or waiting in a waiting room. Through online platforms like BetterHelp, you can talk to your therapist 24/7 over messages and choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions weekly. 

Research also backs up the effectiveness of online therapy for eating disorders. One study concluded that online therapy effectively delivered family-based treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Another study demonstrated that online CBT could be effective for those with binge eating disorder; participants reported satisfaction with the treatment.

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Takeaway

Coping with an eating disorder can be a challenging process. Quotes may offer inspiration and motivation for your difficult moments. However, note that quotes do not replace advice from a mental health professional. If you're struggling with eating disorder symptoms, consider contacting a licensed mental health provider for support.
Healing from eating disorders is possible
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