Treatment

If you have an eating disorder, it is not easy to get better, but it is POSSIBLE

The hardest things to do is admitting and accepting that you have an eating disorder.

The next difficult step is reaching out and asking for help. Not only is it okay to ask for help, it is necessary. It may feel like you’ll be able to make it on your own. The truth is recovery is not an easy journey, you will need help for the way. Asking for help is not a weakness, it is a great strength. And remember, there is no shame in having an eating disorder – this is not your fault and you have done nothing wrong.

So how can you reach out for help?….

The first step is telling someone about your disorder. Sharing something so personal and the fear of losing something that has become such a major part of your life is a courageous thing to do. But you can do it. Consider it your first step to getting back your control.

Here are some tips that can help that can help you approach someone and talk to them about your disorder:

Who do I tell?

Speak to someone whom you trust and feel comfortable talking with. This can be anyone; a friend, someone in your family, or maybe a professional.

It is vital that you do get professional help. However, it is not necessary that this is the first person you tell if you do not feel comfortable doing so. You can then seek the professional help you need together with the person you have trusted to tell.

How will they react?

Initially their reaction can be varied. The person may be aggressive, they may deny that you have a problem, or they may avoid it completely. It will hurt if this were to happen and you do not find the support you deserve. But do keep in mind that the news might come as a shock and it could take time for them to process the information.

Alternatively they may accept what you tell them and support you. Whatever the case, do not be put off by their first reaction. Do not be scared about how the person will react. The only way to find out is by taking the risk.

The most important thing to remember is that they are mistaken if they do not support you. Do not give up if at first things do not go well. There are other people who will be willing to help you.

How do I tell them?

There are various ways by which you can tell someone. The most typical would be by verbally speaking to someone. However you might feel more comfortable if you wrote what you wanted to say in a letter which you would then give to the person. This would enable you to think about what you want to say exactly, and give the other person more time to process the news.

You can also break the news by means of a mediator. For example, if you want to tell your parents you can have your friend with you while talking to them.

Whichever way you chose, it would be a good idea to take information about eating disorders with you to give the person you are telling. This will give them the chance to learn more about what you are going through and to understand you better.

Treatment is catered for the individual’s needs. There are various methods to get help:

• Psychotherapy – this will help explore the emotional reasons which are fueling the eating disorder. They will help you improve your self esteem, and discover healthy ways to cope with the struggles of life. Family therapy could greatly help in recovering. Support groups might also be a possible part of psychotherapy, where people with similar experiences can meet and share in the presence of a psychologist.

• Nutritional Consultation – learning how to eat in a balanced and healthy way will be a reassuring aid through recovery. A diet can be tailored for your own needs, and will change slowly slowly, in order for you to feel comfortable every step of the way.

• Hospitalisation – this is only a last resort when the eating disorder has caused too much damage to the body and medical help is needed.