Coping With Eating Disorders
By Matthew Tiemeyer, About.com Guide to Eating Disorders
Coping with an eating disorder is often a long-term issue, as eating disorders can persist into mid-life even when they begin in a person's teens. Coping with the pressures of disordered eating can build strength and hope.
- Improving Body Image
- Developing Healthy Eating Habits
- Helping Loved Ones With Eating Disorders
- Handling Celebrations
Improving Body Image
It's no secret that those with eating disorders have distorted body images. Their bodies are their enemies, shaming them at every turn (or at least at every mirror). Find out how to counter the negative messages and move toward a reality that includes respect and care for the body. Even the fashion industry is beginning to make changes to change how we view ourselves.
- The Summer Body Image Letdown
- How the Fashion Industry is Changing
- Media's Influence on Body Image (and Ways to Fight Back)
Developing Healthy Eating Habits
Most people think of "healthy eating" as a "good diet." For those with eating disorders, "diet" is a dangerous word that can lead to more disordered eating. Putting the words "healthy" and "eating" together doesn't mean a list of good foods and bad foods. Instead, it can be a focus of relaxation and even adventure.
- What Is Healthy Eating?
- How Dieting Strengthens Eating Disorders
- Sensual Eating: Learning to Trust Your Body
- To Stop Binge Eating, Learn What You're Missing
Helping Loved Ones With Eating Disorders
Providing help to someone with an eating disorder presents unique challenges. Often, the person doesn't want help. At other times, it can be hard for you to want to help her (or him) because she has caused so much damage through her behavior. Strangely enough, helping someone with an eating disorder means helping yourself as well.
- What to Do and What Not to Do
- When Your Teen Goes to College
- Parenting by Example: A Powerful Eating Disorder Antidote
- Why Hiding Food From Your Family Backfires
- Eating Disorder Family Dynamics
- Being the Caregiver for Someone With an Eating Disorder
Handling Celebrations
In our culture, celebrations generally involve eating. Exactly how we choose to enjoy a special day may change, but we can count on food being involved somehow. Having an eating disorder can be extra difficult when celebratory food brings shame and anxiety while others are enjoying themselves.
