Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Understanding the problem and how to solve it
• Method 2 of 4: Tips for Those With an Eating Disorder
• Method 3 of 4: Helping a Friend Cope with an Eating Disorder
• Method 4 of 4: Helping Parents and Family
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Recently, there has been a steady increase in the number of people suffering from eating disorders. This problem can affect everyone, regardless of age and gender. However, women are more likely to have eating disorders than men, and if you notice signs of an eating disorder in yourself or your loved one, it is important not to ignore it. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental disorders. Therefore, it is very important to do everything possible to save the life of yourself or your loved one.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Understanding the problem and how to solve it

1. 1 Learn about the different types of eating disorders. This article describes three main eating disorders. According to the classification of mental disorders, there are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. It is important to keep in mind that there are other types of eating disorders. If you are having difficulty eating, talk to your doctor who can make the correct diagnosis.
   • Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by refusal to eat and a significant loss of body weight. For people with anorexia, the desire to lose weight becomes an obsession. This disease is characterized by the following symptoms: inability or refusal to have a healthy weight, fear of weight gain and distorted perception of one's body.
   • Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes when a person eats an excessive amount of food. After that, to control weight, the person artificially induces vomiting or takes laxatives.
   • Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder in which a person has no control over food intake. Unlike bulimia, people with binge eating disorder do not use laxatives after meals. However, at times they may be dieting out of shame, guilt, or self-loathing.
2. 2 Learn about the factors that cause or contribute to an eating disorder. There are various reasons for the violation of the diet. These include: neurobiological and hereditary factors, low self-esteem, high levels of anxiety, desire to be perfect, constant desire to please others, problem relationships, sexual and physical abuse, family conflicts and inability to express feelings.
   • If you would like more information on eating disorders, search the Internet.
3. 3 Consider helping organizations that work to help people with eating disorders. There are many organizations dedicated to educating the public about the consequences of eating disorders and helping those suffering from these disorders. If you know such a person or care for such a loved one, your monetary donations can help fight the disease by improving the quality of services and disseminating information.
4. 4 Get rid of unrealistic stereotypes about the human body (body shaming). Body shaming is a condemnation of any manifestation of real physicality, anything that differs from glossy standards. Such a critical look can be directed both at oneself and at another person. From a person who is inclined to condemn himself for his body, as a rule, you can hear: "My stomach will never allow me to wear such a swimsuit." Parents, siblings, and friends can also criticize their loved ones for their figure. For example, a mother might make a harsh comment about her daughter: "You won't find a boyfriend for prom if you don't lose a couple of pounds."
   • If you want to say something negative about yourself or another person, you better keep quiet. Remember that words can hurt your loved one. You may have decided to just joke, but the person may take your words too personally.
   • Stay away from those (friends, family members, colleagues, the media, and so on) who are in the body shaping position. Connect with people who speak positively about their body.

Method 2 of 4: Tips for Those With an Eating Disorder

1. 1 Watch for warning signs. You must be honest with yourself if you find these symptoms. Remember, eating disorders can have life-threatening complications. Don't underestimate the severity of your eating disorder. Also, don't think that you can handle it on your own without someone else's help. Don't overestimate your strength. The main warning signs to look out for include:
   • You are underweight (less than 85% of the normal range for your age and height)
   • You are in poor health. You notice that you bruise frequently, you are emaciated, you have a pale or sallow complexion, and dull and dry hair.
   • You feel dizzy, get cold more often than others (the result of poor circulation), you feel dry eyes, your tongue is swollen, your gums bleed, and fluid is retained in your body.
   • If you are a woman, your menstrual cycle is three or more months late.
   • Bulimia is characterized by additional signs such as scratches on one or more fingers, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, swollen joints, and so on.
2. 2 Pay attention to changes in behavior. In addition to physical symptoms, eating disorders are also associated with emotional and behavioral changes. These include:
   • If someone tells you that you are underweight, you will be skeptical about such a statement and will do everything possible to convince the person otherwise; you don't like talking about being underweight.
   • You wear loose, baggy clothing to hide sudden or significant weight loss.
   • You apologize for not being able to be present during meals, or finding ways to eat very little, hide food, or induce artificial vomiting after a meal.
   • You are obsessed with diet. All conversations come down to the topic of dieting. You try your best to eat as little as possible.
   • You are haunted by the fear of becoming complete; you are aggressively opposed to your shape and weight.
   • You expose your body to exhausting and harsh physical activity.
   • You avoid socializing with other people and try not to go outside.
3. 3 Talk to a doctor who specializes in treating eating disorders. A trained professional can help you deal with the feelings and thoughts that lead you to diet or overeat. If you are ashamed to talk to someone about it, rest assured that when you talk to a doctor who specializes in treating eating disorders, you will not feel ashamed. These doctors have dedicated their professional lives to helping patients overcome this problem. They know what you are going through, understand the true causes of this condition and can help you cope with them.
   • The best treatment for an eating disorder is to combine psychotherapy or counseling with medication. It is also important to ensure that the person with an eating disorder is getting the nutrients they need.
   • During the consultation, you can expect:
     • That you will be listened to with respect.
     • That you can tell your story and ask for help.
     • That your family and friends won't pressure you. The therapist can advise your loved ones on how to behave correctly in this situation. In addition, he will teach you how to overcome family conflicts and will help you in the process of recovery.
     • Rest assured that the right treatment will bring a positive result.
4. 4 Determine the reasons that led you to this state. You can contribute to treatment by introspection about why you believe it is necessary to continue to lose weight and what is causing you to drain your body. Through self-examination, you can identify the underlying causes of the eating disorder. Perhaps you are trying to cope with family conflict, lack of love or a good mood.
   • Think about what area of ​​your life you cannot control? Perhaps there have been changes in your life that caused a storm of negative feelings in you (divorce, moving to a new city) and which you cannot control?
   • Have you experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse?
   • Does your family have a high bar for excellence? Are you experiencing excessive control, custody, or, conversely, indifference and lack of boundaries in your family?
   • Are your parents actively involved in your life or are they oblivious to what is happening to you?
   • Are you comparing yourself to others? In this case, the cover idols are the worst enemies. However, you can also compare yourself to friends, celebrities, and people you follow.
   • Do you eat junk food or eat more when you are emotionally stressed? If so, it can become a habit that acts on a subconscious level and displaces creative processes such as ignoring negative self-talk or praising good work.
   • Do you think a lean physique contributes to your success in sports? While some sports, such as swimming or gymnastics, require an athlete to have a lean and flexible body (applies to women), remember that other factors also play an important role in achieving success. You should not sacrifice your health for the sake of success in sports.
5. 5 Keep a food journal. This will serve two purposes. The first, more practical goal is to create healthy eating habits. In addition, you and your therapist will be able to see more clearly what food you eat, how much, and at what time. The second, more subjective purpose of the diary is to record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to your eating habits.You can also write in a diary all your fears (thanks to this you can fight them) and dreams (you can set goals and work to achieve them). Here are some introspection questions you can answer in your diary:
   • Write down what you need to overcome. Are you comparing yourself to the cover models? Are you under a lot of stress (school / college / work, family problems, peer pressure)?
   • Write down what eating ritual you follow and how your body experiences it.
   • Describe the feelings you have when trying to control your diet.
   • If you deliberately mislead people and hide your behavior, how do you feel about it? Reflect on this question in your journal.
   • List your accomplishments. This list will help you better understand what you have already achieved in your life and feel more confident about your accomplishments.
6. 6 Seek support from a friend or family member. Talk to him about what is happening to you. Most likely, a loved one is worried about your problem and will try his best to help you cope with the problem.
   • Learn to express your feelings out loud and treat them calmly. Be confident in yourself. This does not mean being arrogant or self-centered, it means letting others know that you deserve to be appreciated.
   • One of the key factors underlying an eating disorder is the unwillingness or inability to stand up for oneself or fully express one's feelings and preferences. Once this becomes a habit, you lose confidence in yourself, feel less important, unable to cope with conflict and unhappiness; your frustration becomes a kind of excuse that "rules" the circumstances (even if in the wrong way).
7. 7 Find other ways to deal with your emotions. Find opportunities to relax and unwind after a busy day. Take time for yourself. For example, listen to music, take a walk, watch the sunset, or write in your journal. The possibilities are endless; Find something that you enjoy doing that will help you relax and deal with negative emotions or stress.
   • Do what you wanted to do for a long time, but did not find the time and suitable conditions for this. Take courses and learn something new you've always wanted to try, start a blog or website, learn to play an instrument, take a vacation, read a book or series of books.
   • Alternative treatments can be quite effective for an eating disorder. Talk to your doctor about techniques such as meditation, yoga, massage, or acupuncture.
8. 8 Try to pull yourself together when you feel like you are losing control. Call someone, touch with your hands, for example, a desk, table, stuffed animal, wall, or hug someone you feel safe with. This will make it easier for you to reconnect with reality.
   • Get a good night's sleep. Get healthy and satisfying sleep. Sleep has a positive effect on the perception of the surrounding world and restores strength. If you are not regularly getting enough sleep due to stress and anxiety, find ways to improve your sleep quality.
9. 9 Treat yourself as good as you treat other people. Take a look at the people around you who you like because of their personality traits. Appreciate yourself as highly. Find something beautiful in yourself, do not dwell on your shortcomings. Don't be too hard on your appearance. Any type of figure is amazing. Breathe in the moment of your being, live reality. You deserve to be happy here and now.
10. 10 Remove the scales. Don't weigh yourself every day, whether you have an eating disorder or not.If you do this, you are not getting real data about your weight and are only fixated on numbers, and not on something more significant. Gradually reduce the frequency of weighing to one or two times a month.
    • Track your weight with your clothes. Pick your favorite items within a healthy weight range and let your clothes show your good looks and wellness.
11. 11 Go to your goal gradually. Think of every small change towards a healthy lifestyle as a significant step in the recovery process. Gradually increase your food intake and decrease the amount of exercise. Rapid changes will not only negatively affect your emotional state, but can also lead to other health problems. Therefore, it is recommended that you do this under the supervision of a professional, such as your PCP who specializes in eating disorders.
    • If your body is severely depleted, you are unlikely to be able to make even minor changes. In this case, you will most likely be hospitalized and transferred to a diet so that the body receives all the necessary nutrients.

Method 3 of 4: Helping a Friend Cope with an Eating Disorder

1. 1 Pay attention to the warning signs above. If you notice these signs in your friend, intervene immediately. Your friend's health is at risk if the signs are obvious to those around them. The sooner you help your friend deal with the disorder, the better.
   • Educate yourself by reading the literature on the causes and symptoms of an eating disorder.
   • Be prepared to do whatever you can to get your friend to get professional help as early as possible. Also facilitate the treatment process and, if necessary, provide assistance and support.
2. 2 Talk to your friend face to face. Tell your friend that you notice something is happening to him. Remain calm, speak kind, and remain open-minded. Explain that you are worried about him and want to help in any way you can. Ask a friend how you can help him.
   • Be a source of peace in his life. Don't exaggerate, show your surprise, or say too much.
   • For example, don't blame your friend by saying, "I knew you shouldn't be hanging out with these girls. They're too skinny."
3. 3 Show that you care by using the "I" affirmation. Instead of blaming your friend, just tell her that you are worried about her. You might say, "I'm worried about you and I want you to be healthy. What can I do to help you?"
4. 4 Always be there. Listen to your loved one’s problems without judging them. Give him the opportunity to express his emotions in a way that makes him feel like you care what happens to him. This requires a lot of listening skills, analyzing a person's feelings, so that he was sure that both of you are aware of and feel his pain. Be supportive, but don't try to control your friend.
   • Read the article "How to Listen" for helpful tips to help you actively listen.
   • Be affectionate, caring, and open. Love your friend for who he is.
5. 5 Don't talk negatively about food or weight. If you decide to have lunch together, avoid saying things like, "I really want ice cream, but I shouldn't buy it." Also, don't ask what your friend ate, how many pounds he lost or gained, and so on. Never show your frustration with his weight loss.
   • Never ask your friend to gain weight.
   • Never humiliate or blame someone with an eating disorder. He is no longer able to control himself.
   • Don't make jokes about weight or the like to avoid hurting your friend's feelings.
6. 6 Stay positive. Compliment your friend, help increase his self-esteem, not only in terms of appearance, but also actions. Praise him whenever he is around you! Support your friend who has an eating disorder. Remember that he is going through a difficult time. He needs your love and care.
7. 7 Help a friend. Talk to a psychologist, doctor, spouse, parents about how best to help your friend. As mentioned above, this is the most crucial moment in his attempts to restore health, so do everything you can to help this.

Method 4 of 4: Helping Parents and Family

1. 1 Pay attention to the tips listed in the section for friends. Many of these tips can be used equally by those who take care of or live in the same household as the person with an eating disorder. First of all, make sure the person is receiving medical attention and treatment. If you are legally responsible for this person, make sure that they receive qualified assistance.
   • Much of the advice in this section is based on the assumption that the person with an eating disorder is either a child or a teenager, but it may also apply to adult relatives.
2. 2 Be calm and supportive. As a relative, you will be in constant contact with such a child or adolescent; the child should understand that you will not be angry with him, and also will not constantly present your demands. Most likely, it will be difficult for you to restrain yourself, but this is exactly the moment when both you and your child need to learn a lot. You will need patience, courage, and a calm attitude to provide positive and effective help.
   • Show love and kindness. The child must know that he is loved. You can say, "I love you. We can handle this together."
   • Contribute to the healing process, but do not overstep the boundaries by trying to control the child in everything. Don't ask too many questions related to the baby's weight; if you are very concerned, discuss the issue with your doctor.
3. 3 Provide love and care to all family members. Don't neglect the rest of the household, even if you have to care for a child with an eating disorder. If your concern and attention is focused solely on a child with an eating disorder, others will feel abandoned. A family member with an eating disorder will in turn feel overprotective. Do your best (and make sure everyone in the family does this) to balance their responsibilities and support and care for each family member.
4. 4 Be emotionally approachable. When you feel angry and powerless in a certain situation, you may want to ignore, give up, and leave your loved one alone with their problems. However, if you stop supporting your child emotionally, it will cause severe pain. You can show love for a relative with an eating disorder and deal effectively with attempts to manipulate you. However, if you are having difficulty, consult a specialist.
   • Your child will be grateful for your concern if, instead of rushing him, you just let him know that you are always ready to listen to him. You can say: "I know that you are in a difficult period now and I understand that you need time to reflect on what is happening. I want you to know that I am there and always ready to listen to you."
5. 5 Think of food as a means of life for the body, as a useful and enjoyable part of everyday life. If someone close to you has an obsession with talking about food or the problem of being overweight, you need to give the conversation the right color. Try to deliberately talk about weight or diet. Also, do not use food as a punishment or reward in raising children. Food is something special that should be highly valued and not given out in rations or used as a reward; and if your family members need to reconsider and change their attitude towards food, be sure to do so.
   • Do not restrict the diet of your child with an eating disorder until your doctor advises you.
6. 6 Be critical of the messages conveyed by the media. Teach your child or teenager not to trust everything that is said in the media. Teach them critical thinking skills and motivate them to research all the information they get from the media, as well as information from peers and other people who influence them.
   • Develop trusting relationships with your child from an early age. Teach your child or teen to communicate openly and honestly with you, and you, in turn, do the same. If your child does not have the desire to hide something from you, then you can achieve a positive result and eliminate the cause of the eating disorder.
7. 7 Strive to boost your child's or teen's self-esteem. Show your child that you love them under any circumstances, compliment them, and often praise them for their success. If your child can't handle something, admit it and teach him to accept his failures normally. In fact, one of the best lessons parents can teach their child is the ability to overcome setbacks, recover quickly, and make new attempts.
   • Help your child learn to accept and appreciate their body as it is. From an early age, encourage your child to exercise and teach him how to properly treat his body. Explain why it is important to develop flexibility and strength. Spend time outside. Go for a walk as often as possible, bike together, run, and hike. If possible, take part in marathons, sporting events and similar events with the whole family. This will help your child see that sport improves health and brings people closer together.

Tips

• In ordinary life, models and actors do not look as perfect as on the covers of magazines. They look more attractive because professional makeup and stylists, as well as other professionals, work on them. Moreover, the use of a graphic editor Photoshop helps to create the perfect image. If you compare yourself to a fashion magazine image, you are being dishonest to yourself.
• Only eat when you are hungry. Sometimes we have an overwhelming urge to eat something sweet when we are sad, bored, or scared. Do not forget that this will negatively affect our health and appearance. The reason you feel the urge to eat something sweet when you are in a certain mood is because sugar and sugar-containing foods contain endorphins (a hormone that makes you feel happy and feel good). With a low level of this hormone in the body, you feel the need to eat sweets. However, you can increase the level of this hormone in another way, for example, by playing sports. Exercise has the same effect on the body, but it will not put on excess weight. If your body craves candy and snacks every time you are in a bad mood, chances are good that you will soon be suffering from emotional overeating (which is also an eating disorder).
• Set yourself a smarter beauty ideal instead of looking up to the skinny models you see on magazine covers. Don't try to look like them. Instead, focus on something attractive about ordinary people.

Warnings

• If at one time you were strongly tempted not to eat for several days or to induce artificial vomiting, stop... This is how an eating disorder begins.

What do you need

• Food diary
• Eating Disorder Information
• Doctor specializing in eating disorders