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How To Support A Loved One With An Eating Disorder During The Holidays

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for those with eating disorders, this period can be particularly challenging. According to NEDA, in the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. If you have a loved one struggling with an eating disorder, you’re likely wondering how you can offer support when food is the center of celebrations during the holidays. Here are some tips to help you understand more about eating disorders and how you can offer support.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect a person’s emotional and physical health, as well as how they view food and their body. Common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. The holidays often exacerbate these conditions due to social and family gatherings that center around food. Learning about eating disorders can help you approach the situation with empathy and not force food on your loved one where they feel like they have to eat or pretend to eat, causing more anxiety than they’re already experiencing. However, it’s important to understand that eating disorders are not just about food, but they’re often tied to deeper emotional and psychological issues that have caused this obsession with food and their body.

The Emotional Impact of the Holidays on Eating Disorders

The holiday season can bring up a range of emotions for someone with an eating disorder. While others are looking forward to festive meals and gatherings, eating whatever they want and waiting until the new year to start their diet, your loved one may be dreading these events. The pressure to eat, the fear of judgment if they don’t eat or eat too much, and the anxiety around food can overshadow the joy of the season. It’s important to recognize that your loved one’s feelings are valid and not something they can easily ‘get over.’ Your understanding can make a significant difference in how they cope during this time.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Open Communication is Key

One of the most effective ways to support a loved one with an eating disorder is through open communication. If they’re open to it, have a candid conversation about their concerns and fears regarding the holidays. Ask how you can best support them and listen without judgment. Make it clear that you’re there to offer support, not to control or fix their eating habits. 

Encourage your loved one to set boundaries and communicate their needs. Whether it’s skipping certain events or bringing their own food, respecting their choices can alleviate some of the holiday stress. For someone with an eating disorder, being expected to eat can be anxiety inducing and overwhelming, especially if many other family members don’t know that they are struggling with this.

Create a Safe and Supportive Environment

What type of environment someone with an eating disorder has can significantly impact their experience during the holidays. Aim to create a safe and supportive space where they feel they can express themselves or leave if they need to. Avoid making comments about food, weight, or appearance as these can be very triggering. Having activities that don’t revolve around food help shift the focus away from eating and hopefully decrease their stress.

Encourage Self-Care

Self-care can be difficult for someone struggling with an eating disorder, especially during the holidays, but it’s also a crucial part of recovery. Encourage your loved one to prioritize their well-being by engaging in activities that help them relax, de-stress, and bring them joy and comfort.

Professional Help Is Available

While your support is invaluable, professional help is often necessary for someone with an eating disorder. Encourage your loved one to seek therapy or join a support group. Professional guidance can provide them with the tools and strategies they need to manage their eating disorder. If your loved one resides in Georgia, let them know they can contact one of our eating disorder therapists who are here to listen and provide helpful ways to work on a road to recovery.

Each person’s treatment will depend on the type of eating disorder, but generally it will include psychotherapy along with medical monitoring and nutritional counseling. Family-based treatment is especially important for families with children and adolescents because it enlists the families’ help to better ensure healthy eating patterns and increases awareness and support.

Resources:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Life Without ED by Jenni Schaefer 

Anatomy of Anorexia by Steven Levenkron

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