Overcoming Eating Disorders: How To Get Started
Approximately one in 10 Americans may experience an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. Eating disorders often come with mental and physical struggles that can be difficult to recover from on your own. If you have come to the realization that you or someone you love may be experiencing an eating disorder, you may be unsure of what to do next. We’ve outlined the steps you generally need to take to overcome an eating disorder below.
Therapy tends to be a critical part of any eating disorder treatment plan. If a qualified therapist isn’t available in your area, an online therapy platform can connect you with a suitable professional.
Start by finding support
It may seem scary or embarrassing to share with someone that you have an eating disorder. However, in most cases, an eating disorder isn’t a condition you can fix on your own. Like a broken bone or an infection, it usually requires the help of a trained medical professional to properly treat the condition and move forward with your life.
You may begin by talking to your primary care doctor about your symptoms. They can refer you to specialists to treat different aspects of the condition. Your treatment team may include the following:
A medical practitioner, such as a primary care provider or pediatrician, who can manage and treat the physical symptoms associated with extreme weight loss
A mental health professional to provide psychological treatment and support, such as a therapist, psychologist, or social worker
A registered dietician to provide specialized nutrition support and advice
Medical specialists to treat specific conditions caused by the eating disorder
An occupational therapist to help you replace disordered eating behaviors with meaningful activities
Create a treatment plan
Patients typically work with their team to create a treatment plan targeting all of the aspects of the eating disorder. As you create your treatment plan, one factor to consider is your budget. Some treatment options may be more affordable than others, and your team may be able to help you find treatment facilities that charge based on income or offer scholarship opportunities.
Participate in treatment
Approximately 15% of women experience an eating disorder by the time they reach their 40s, and around 27% receive treatment. Without treatment, it may be difficult to fully recover from an eating disorder. Treatment can take place in a variety of settings, depending on the level of care needed, personal preferences, financial ability, and support from loved ones.
Residential treatment
Some patients may participate in residential treatment, which typically involves living at an eating disorder treatment facility for a period of time. Residential treatment is usually best for individuals who would benefit from intensive medical, psychiatric, and behavioral support.
Intensive outpatient treatment
An intensive outpatient treatment option may be suggested for people who need regular check-ins from a professional but don’t require the round-the-clock support of a residential program. With intensive day treatment, patients may see their treatment team several times a week for physical check-ups, therapy, and sessions with a registered dietician.
Outpatient treatment
Some patients participate in outpatient treatment that involves meeting with their treatment team regularly, but not as often as in higher levels of care. For example, they may have therapy sessions twice a week and see their dietician once a week, with monthly visits to their primary doctor.
Support your mental health
While an eating disorder often impacts physical health, it is ultimately categorized as a mental health condition. Patients usually need mental health support to fully recover. In addition, the majority of patients with an eating disorder also have a core mental health disorder, such as an anxiety disorder or a mood disorder. Talk therapy is frequently recommended for individuals with eating disorders, although the most effective type of therapy may vary from person to person.
Anorexia nervosa
Specialist supportive clinical management and Maudsley anorexia nervosa treatment for adults have also been used, although research has not shown one specific treatment option to be the best. For children and teenagers with anorexia, family-based treatment is generally recommended as the first treatment approach.
Bulimia nervosa
Cognitive behavioral therapy is most commonly used to treat bulimia, although interpersonal therapy that has been modified for time-limited treatment plans can also be an effective option. Family-based treatment is usually recommended to treat children and adolescents with bulimia.
Binge eating disorder
Interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can effectively treat binge eating disorder. Dialectical behavior therapy may also be used to reduce binge eating episodes by helping individuals learn to better regulate their emotions.
Participate in nutrition education
Many treatment plans involve nutrition counseling from a registered dietician. Individuals may work with a dietician to plan meals, make grocery lists, focus on weight gain instead of weight loss, and develop a nutritious, well-rounded approach to eating. It can be important to work with a dietician trained in supporting people with eating disorders, as not all professionals may have this specialized knowledge.
Treat physical complications of the eating disorder
Disordered eating behaviors and a lack of nutrients and calories can result in serious physical health complications, such as the following:
- Low bone density
- Digestive problems
- Stunted growth
- Low blood pressure
- Dehydration and constipation
- Dental cavities and damage to enamel
- Not having a menstrual period and challenges with infertility
- Acid reflux
- Malnutrition
Your primary care doctor may be able to monitor and treat some physical problems. More complex issues may require the support of a specialist, such as a dentist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, or gastroenterologist.
Self-care for eating disorders
In general, self-care isn’t a replacement for eating disorder treatment, but it can act as a complement to your treatment plan and provide motivation as you move through the recovery process.
Manage eating disorder triggers
We often view self-care as the behaviors in which you engage to support your mental and physical well-being, but self-care can also involve the things you don’t do. A trigger can be anything that leads to a challenging emotion or pushes you to engage in unhealthy habits like disordered eating. Triggers might include social media, changes in routine, social gatherings centered around food, weighing yourself, experiencing life transitions, or grocery shopping.
Triggers aren’t necessarily good or bad, but they can lead to harmful behavior. You can implement strategies to reduce the impact of triggers or remove them from your life completely. For example, if going to the grocery store causes anxiety, consider using grocery delivery for a while. You may need to delete social media apps from your phone or unfollow accounts that lead you to engage in negative thought processes.
Engage in alternate behaviors
Managing triggers and eliminating behaviors associated with an eating disorder may seem more feasible if you have something with which to replace them. Resume old hobbies or find new hobbies where you can focus your attention and time. You might enjoy the following:
- Listening to music
- Learning to play an instrument
- Practicing yoga
- Going for walks in nature
- Watching your favorite TV show
- Trying different types of crafts
- Creating art
Spend time with loved ones
Your family and friends can be an important part of recovery. They can provide long-term support and be available for vulnerable conversations you may not be able to have with others. You may also enjoy engaging in alternate behaviors with your loved ones, such as attending a concert with your sister or binging a new season of your favorite show with your best friend.
Attend support groups for eating disorders or mental health
Support groups aren’t always a necessary component of the treatment process, but some people may benefit from the supervised peer support that comes from meeting others who have gone through similar experiences. This can provide a sense of community and prevent isolation during the recovery process. Support group peers may also be able to offer suggestions about ways to manage your triggers or suggest local resources that you may find helpful.
Helpful resources
If you believe that you or a loved one may have an eating disorder, help is available. You can learn more from various organizations that support those with eating disorders and their families, including those listed below:
- National Eating Disorders Association
- Eating Disorder Foundation
- Academy for Eating Disorders
- Eating Disorder Hope
- Alliance for Eating Disorders
- Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders (FEAST-ED)
Because eating disorders are mental health conditions, it can be important to work with a mental health professional as part of your treatment. However, it may be difficult to find a therapist with whom you connect and who is qualified to treat those with eating disorders.
With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can connect with one out of thousands of licensed professionals who can offer qualified support at your convenience. Therapy can also be helpful for the family members and friends of individuals with eating disorders, who are often impacted by their loved one’s condition but may not have a safe person with whom to talk about the experience.
Research suggests that online therapy can effectively treat eating disorders, but it can be important to note that some individuals may need to seek medical care in person as well.
Takeaway
What are some ways to cope with an eating disorder?
Finding a coping mechanism that works to reduce symptoms of eating disorders can be difficult if you don’t know where to start. In addition, what works for one individual might not work for another person in eating disorder recovery. However, the following coping skills are generally recommended to support individuals in coping with the unpleasant emotions and symptoms of eating disorders:
- Journaling to reduce stress and express feelings externally
- Talking to a registered dietitian or medical doctor to develop healthy eating behaviors, increase or decrease food intake, and receive medical monitoring
- Getting in healthy forms of physical activity, such as walking with a family member or friend
- Practicing a hobby or learning a new skill
- Treating co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Practicing positive affirmations to improve body image and self-esteem
How to overcome an eating disorder on your own?
Eating disorders are severe mental health conditions, and the eating disorder recovery journey can be difficult without professional support. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) recommends therapy as a first-line treatment for treating eating disorder behaviors. Group, individual, or family therapy can be helpful, and modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) may be effective options for improving one’s physical and mental health. At home, you can practice coping skills and learn more about eating disorders to find healthy ways to overcome symptoms. However, because many eating disorders can be life-threatening, experts recommend that individuals seek treatment if they are showing signs of an eating disorder. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary to get someone back to a healthy weight or help them gain weight.
How do you prevent eating disorders and adverse mental health impacts?
Eating disorders can be prevented with early intervention. If you notice signs of an eating disorder in yourself, such as excessive meal planning, profound self-loathing related to your body shape or weight, a desire to control how you eat, or mental and physical health problems and unpleasant emotions, consider seeking help from a licensed professional. They can help you get into interventions that may reduce the chances of severe medical complications. You can also reach out to someone you love, such as a parent or other family members to let them know you’re struggling and would like more support. Being honest may help you improve your relationship and help you get support as you break free from harmful behaviors and thoughts.
How do you help a loved one with an eating disorder?
You can help a loved one with an eating disorder by letting them know you’re concerned and want to be a support system for them. Try not to make accusations or tell them what they “should” do about their condition. Instead, recommend resources, remain consistent, and be compassionate as they struggle. Eating disorders are not a choice, and they are not trying to be difficult or harm your relationship. If your loved one is physically ill, try to help them get to a medical doctor or the hospital for evaluation.
How can you overcome food addiction?
“Food addiction” may sometimes be used as a term for binge eating. However, this term is not the correct clinical terminology. Someone living with binge eating disorder might have the sense that they are “addicted” to food. However, these desires to eat significant quantities of food likely have a cause and may be treated with professional help. Talking to a therapist or doctor about your desires may help you come up with a healthier plan.
What do you say to someone with an eating disorder?
Depending on the situation, you might offer different sentiments to someone with an eating disorder. However, remain respectful, empathetic, and non-accusatory when talking to anyone. Even if you are worried, accusations and controlling language may cause someone to not want to seek support in the future. “Tough love” can be harmful when talking to someone with a mental illness. Instead, try to be understanding, learn more about their eating disorder, and provide resources and social support.
What causes eating disorders?
Eating disorders don’t have one singular cause. Experts generally agree that these conditions are caused by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. Having a family member with an eating disorder may put you at a higher risk of having one, as well. In addition, having gone through a traumatic event may sometimes prompt an eating disorder or worsen existing symptoms.
How do you cure overeating and binge eating disorder?
Overeating and binge eating are generally treated with therapy. In some cases, a provider might prescribe medication to reduce thoughts about food or urges to eat. However, medication is not a long-term treatment option. Therapy may help individuals address the core causes of their eating disorder and achieve remission.
How do you stop food cravings?
You may be able to stop food cravings by distracting yourself, figuring out the core cause of the cravings, or seeking treatment. Learning the difference between a craving and hunger may also be helpful, as some people may eat when they aren’t hungry but have difficulty understanding the difference. A therapist or nutritionist can help with this step.
Why can't I control my eating?
If you struggle to control your eating patterns, you’re not alone. However, control is often the basis of many eating disorders, and attempting to strictly control any eating can be a warning sign of eating disorders. Talk to a doctor or therapist to come up with a treatment plan unique to your body and experiences.
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