The holidays can be filled with joy for so many reasons, but they're also filled with stress. There are errands to run, presents to buy, obligations to fulfill, and longtime family patterns to contend with.
People with -- or in recovery from -- eating disorders have an especially
hard time around the holidays, since there seems to be food everywhere, and lots of it. Those battling anorexia see calories everywhere -- fudge and cookies at the office, appetizers and drinks at holiday parties, and family feasts at home. Those battling bulimia may feel totally out of control of their binge-purge cycle.
Something that's important to remember is that eating disorders are about stress, and about the desire to attain control and perfection. Realize going into the holiday season that it is going to be a challenge and that you may need some help -- a therapist, a nutritionist, a best friend.
CNN/Health has an article on this. Cynthia Bulik, director of the University of North Carolina Eating Disorders Program, is very busy during the holiday season:
"She tells people with eating disorders, "Keep your support team on speed dial."
" 'It can be incredibly overwhelming to be surrounded by so many different types of food," Bulik noted. "We often suggest that people with anorexia go to a party with a wingman. ... Take someone with you who is safe, to whom you can say, 'This is really tough for me. I need to take a break.' "
"She shared similar advice for those who suffer from bulimia, a condition in which people binge and purge.
" 'We tell people to never go to a party hungry. ... That's the worst thing to do. It's really best to have a decent meal before you get there so you're not tempted to binge when you're at the party," Bulik recommended."
Here's a link to the full article:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/12/01/Hm.eating.disorders.holidays/index.html
Here are some tips from the Eating Disorders and Nutritional News blog:
http://www.eatingdisordersblogs.com/nutrition/2008/11/negotiating-holiday-eating.html
And here are twelve ways to help people with eating disorders to negotiate the holidays, from the Center for Change:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/home/12%20Ideas%20to%20Help%20People%20Negotiate%20the%20Holidays.pdf
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Anon, thanks so much. We're glad you're here. Please feel free to come back and tell us more about your story, or ask us to research a question for you.
December 31, 2008 - 10:14amThis Comment
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December 31, 2008 - 3:21amThis Comment
Here is another great resource for holiday eating, for those who are in recovery with an eating disorder:
http://www.gurze.com/client/client_pages/newsletteredt14.cfm
Another great idea: bring your own dish to the meal! It ensures that there is at least one "safe" food for you to eat, and may be able to reduce some of the stress associated with the food served at meal time.
Planning ahead is probably the best strategy, as everyone suffers from "emotion overload" when around friends and family at the holidays. Writing down what you are looking forward to, as well as what you are dreading, can help you prepare for situations. Come up with solutions before hand (how to say "no thank you" without being insulting; coming up with alternative topics of conversation to redirect questioning that is too personal).
I've noticed that some of my best social moments are when I think about who will be in attendance, and what is going on in that person's life. Then, just formulate a few easy questions ("how is the house-hunting coming along?" "How is Jimmy liking XYZ university?" "Didn't you take a long vacation oversees this year?") People LOVE talking about their lives, and it takes the pressure off of you to talk! Sometimes, family members are scrambling to find conversation, and may say inappropriate things, inadvertently. Having some "back up" discussion topics can help everyone involved.
December 2, 2008 - 4:02pmThis Comment