Asking for Help

People with anorexia or bulimia will often hear their inner voice telling them they’ll never be happy until they shed those last ten pounds. However, happiness and a good sense of self-worth are not measured by how a person looks, but only come from loving oneself for who you really are. Whatever a person’s age or gender, it may seem like there is no escape from the torturous cycle of an eating disorder-but there is.

Recovering

The road to recovering from an eating disorder begins with a person admitting there is a genuine problem. Opening up and being honest about an eating disorder can be very hard, because it’s embarrassing and you might still be thinking the key to your happiness is through weight loss. Even when a person finally grasps that it isn’t true, it can still be difficult because it is a habit that is ingrained into your mind and life.
Truly recovering from an eating disorder takes time and it involves more than just giving up unhealthy behaviors about food. You need to rediscover who you are past your eating habits, weight and body image. You must learn to listen to your body and feelings, trust your gut, accept and love yourself.

Eating Disorder Treatment

Asking for help can be very hard because it requires a person to open up and be vulnerable. However, the process can be much easier if you have a trusted friend, family member, religious clergy member, counselor or work colleague to confide in. Alternatively, some individuals could find it difficult to open up and confide in someone else they know. These people may feel less intimidated by speaking with an eating disorder counselor or medical professional.

How to Talk to Someone about an Eating Disorder

Whoever you pick to confide in, you should set aside a specific time to talk about your problem. You should find someplace comfortable and away from disturbances and distractions. Remember that when this person first hears about your situation, it can leave them feeling upset, angry, shocked and confused. Take the time to tell them about your disorder and explain the ways in which you would like them to help and support you during your recovery process.

The more specific the information you can provide a person, the better that they will understand what you’re talking about and the better they can help you. Answer any questions and do it in an honest and straightforward manner. Don’t try to downplay your illness and don’t minimize what you are enduring, because it can be very serious and prevent you from recovering.

Support Groups

Once you have decided to confront your eating disorder head on, the next step is to seek the help of a support group. Whether or not you actually enter an inpatient treatment program is up to your medical doctor. However, there are self-help groups available to help you learn healthier eating habits and to assist you with adopting new coping skills.
Once you have uncovered the reasons behind your eating disorder, you can then begin to plan how to deal with it and choose positive steps to help you get your life back under control again.