Ports in the Storm: Eating Disorder Groups for Recovery and Support

An eating disorder exists in one person, but recovery often involves eating disorder groups, in the form of either support groups or therapy groups. Physical and mental issues are very difficult to overcome without the care of others. One of the ways eating disorders stay alive is by giving a person many reasons to be isolated. Support groups, therapy groups, and other peer groups provide community that those with eating disorders have lacked. Being in a group can be uncomfortable, but the feedback and encouragement from a group are hard to duplicate elsewhere.

Eating Disorder Support Groups

A support group provides a safe environment for exploring recovery issues. Eating disorder support groups have the advantage of being inexpensive (often free), and a well-run group offers healthy community. But there are disadvantages. If the support group leader does not refer attendees to clinical treatment if needed, great harm can result. Also, poorly-run support groups can be places to swap dieting or purging techniques, which clearly are not helpful.

Twelve-Step Groups

There is a reason that Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been copied so much: AA has enjoyed success in eliminating alcohol from the lives of alcoholics. As human beings, we can’t eliminate food, but organizations such as Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA), Eating Addictions Anonymous (EAA), Overeaters Anonymous (OA), and others can help in establishing abstinence from eating disorder behaviors. Groups are free.

Therapy Groups

For those who are willing to spend some money, a therapy group is a good choice. Some therapy groups will be focused on the eating disorders themselves; others will turn attention to issues that may be distracting a person from a healthy recovery. An advantage is that at least one professional therapist will be involved; this person directs the flow of the group and assists in psychological issues that arise in group meetings.

The disadvantage is that it costs to join, although it generally costs less than individual therapy. Expect to pay somewhere between $20 and $50 per group meeting.

A therapy group provides each member with the opportunity to understand the importance of interpersonal relationships and how eating disorders affect them. In some cases, groups involve people from multiple families to expand the number of relationships—and the number of avenues for healing.

There is often a great deal of shame for a person with an eating disorder, and when that person learns that she is not alone and that she can be in a relationship that is healthy, the shame lessens. In turn, there is less motivation for eating disorder behaviors.

Entering the World Whole Again

Eating disorder treatment and recovery is more well-rounded with some form of group support involved. Whether they involve repairing old relationships or learning how to make new ones, groups can restore a healthy and lasting sense of self-esteem and awareness.

Sources:

Tantillo M. A relational approach to eating disorders multifamily therapy group: Moving from difference and disconnection to mutual connection. Families, Systems, & Health 24 (2006): 82-102.

Yalom ID. The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, 4th ed. New York: BasicBooks, 1995.