Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEmotionalPhysicalSocialResources & OrganizationsCaregiving & Helping Others

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Table of Contents

Emotional

Physical

Social

Resources & Organizations

Caregiving & Helping Others

You may be the loved one of someone grappling with a new diagnosis of anorexia. You may not understand their healing process or are seeking support for yourself as you navigate the journey of supporting them. That is entirely normal, and learning about what your loved one is experiencing and ways for you to stay supported are essential.

This article will discuss coping with anorexia in all ways, from emotional, physical, and social to resources and how to help a loved one who ishealing from this disorder.

History of Eating Disorders

Receiving a diagnosis of an eating disorder can bring up a lot of complex feelings. Frequently,restricting foodis a way of coping with challenging emotions, and it may feel terrifying to consider having this way of coping taken away. However, this is normal and can dissipate as your healing progresses.

Emotionaltriggerscan include seeing photos or reflections of yourself, perceiving reactions others have to your physical appearance, and reflecting on how your body looked in the past.Remaining aware of these triggers can help you minimize your exposure to them.

It can be common to experience ambivalence regarding anorexia recovery. There may be a part of you that wants to get better, but also a part of you that fears how your mind, body, and life will change as you heal.

If this ambivalence sounds familiar, bring it up with amental health professional. They can support you in navigating the unknown, developing healthier thought processes, and even direct you towardspeer support.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Eating Disorders

Anorexia is a disorder that significantly impacts your body image. Therefore, figuring out your relationship between food andexercisecan be particularly challenging. Nutritional counseling may be advised as part of the recovery process, but studies show that for the counseling to be effective, it must be individualized for each person.

This is because these eating behaviors don’t only account for the types of foods consumed. It also encompasses an obsession with the portions of foods consumed,fad diets, and rituals around eating.

If you’re noticing that you’re still experiencingobsessive thoughts around food, even if they’re now centered around healthy foods, consult about this with your mental health provider. They will be able to provide you with coping tools that provide relief, not further emotional pain.

What Are Compensatory Behaviors in People with Eating Disorders?

You’re never alone. Studies show that support amongst others is critical when recovering from anorexia.In fact, social difficulties are documented as a barrier to anorexia recovery, underscoring the importance ofsocial support.

Seeking out support groups can be incredibly helpful. TheNational Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disordersis an organization that offers free virtual peer-led support groups.

What Is Anorexia Nervosa?

It can feel extraordinarily daunting to consider where to turn for support. Luckily, various organizations exist to support those recovering from an eating disorder.

Dysphagia as a Symptom of Anorexia

Loving someone with an eating disordercan be painful. While providing care to the person in your life suffering from this disorder is important, giving yourself that same support is equally important.

Consider reaching out to alicensed psychotherapist. Not only can they help you understand this disease better, but they can also equip you with coping tools when struggling with caregiving duties.

Furthermore, any of the aforementioned organizations can be of support in connecting you with advocacy efforts should you want to join the fight to end the stigma around eating disorders.

Eating Disorder Recovery: 12 Tips to Aid in the Process

A Word From Verywell

If you or a loved one is coping with anorexia, you likely know just how difficult it can be. But remember, you are not alone. There is tons of information available and many resources that can help someone cope with this eating disorder. Seeking help is crucial—and early treatment is linked with better outcomes. It can feel intimidating to take that first step of asking for help, but once you do, you are already on your way to recovery.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Eating disorders.Espeset EMS, Gulliksen KS, Nordbø RHS, Skårderud F, Holte A.Fluctuations of body images in anorexia nervosa: patients’ perception of contextual triggers: body image fluctuations.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2012;19(6):518-530. doi: 10.1002/cpp.760Gregertsen EC, Mandy W, Serpell L.The egosyntonic nature of anorexia: an impediment to recovery in anorexia nervosa treatment.Front Psychol. 2017;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02273Mittnacht AM, Bulik CM.Best nutrition counseling practices for the treatment of anorexia nervosa: A Delphi study: Nutrition Counseling for Anorexia Nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(1):111-122. doi: 10.1002/eat.22319Barthels F, Meyer F, Huber T, Pietrowsky R.Orthorexic eating behaviour as a coping strategy in patients with anorexia nervosa.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(2):269-276. doi: 10.1007/s40519-016-0329-xKoven NS, Abry AW.The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.2015;11:385-394. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S61665Linville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2012.668480Cardi V, Mallorqui-Bague N, Albano G, Monteleone AM, Fernandez-Aranda F, Treasure J.Social difficulties as risk and maintaining factors in anorexia nervosa: a mixed-method investigation.Front Psychiatry. 2018;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00012

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Eating disorders.Espeset EMS, Gulliksen KS, Nordbø RHS, Skårderud F, Holte A.Fluctuations of body images in anorexia nervosa: patients’ perception of contextual triggers: body image fluctuations.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2012;19(6):518-530. doi: 10.1002/cpp.760Gregertsen EC, Mandy W, Serpell L.The egosyntonic nature of anorexia: an impediment to recovery in anorexia nervosa treatment.Front Psychol. 2017;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02273Mittnacht AM, Bulik CM.Best nutrition counseling practices for the treatment of anorexia nervosa: A Delphi study: Nutrition Counseling for Anorexia Nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(1):111-122. doi: 10.1002/eat.22319Barthels F, Meyer F, Huber T, Pietrowsky R.Orthorexic eating behaviour as a coping strategy in patients with anorexia nervosa.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(2):269-276. doi: 10.1007/s40519-016-0329-xKoven NS, Abry AW.The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.2015;11:385-394. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S61665Linville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2012.668480Cardi V, Mallorqui-Bague N, Albano G, Monteleone AM, Fernandez-Aranda F, Treasure J.Social difficulties as risk and maintaining factors in anorexia nervosa: a mixed-method investigation.Front Psychiatry. 2018;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00012

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Eating disorders.Espeset EMS, Gulliksen KS, Nordbø RHS, Skårderud F, Holte A.Fluctuations of body images in anorexia nervosa: patients’ perception of contextual triggers: body image fluctuations.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2012;19(6):518-530. doi: 10.1002/cpp.760Gregertsen EC, Mandy W, Serpell L.The egosyntonic nature of anorexia: an impediment to recovery in anorexia nervosa treatment.Front Psychol. 2017;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02273Mittnacht AM, Bulik CM.Best nutrition counseling practices for the treatment of anorexia nervosa: A Delphi study: Nutrition Counseling for Anorexia Nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(1):111-122. doi: 10.1002/eat.22319Barthels F, Meyer F, Huber T, Pietrowsky R.Orthorexic eating behaviour as a coping strategy in patients with anorexia nervosa.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(2):269-276. doi: 10.1007/s40519-016-0329-xKoven NS, Abry AW.The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.2015;11:385-394. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S61665Linville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2012.668480Cardi V, Mallorqui-Bague N, Albano G, Monteleone AM, Fernandez-Aranda F, Treasure J.Social difficulties as risk and maintaining factors in anorexia nervosa: a mixed-method investigation.Front Psychiatry. 2018;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00012

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Eating disorders.

Espeset EMS, Gulliksen KS, Nordbø RHS, Skårderud F, Holte A.Fluctuations of body images in anorexia nervosa: patients’ perception of contextual triggers: body image fluctuations.Clin Psychol Psychother. 2012;19(6):518-530. doi: 10.1002/cpp.760

Gregertsen EC, Mandy W, Serpell L.The egosyntonic nature of anorexia: an impediment to recovery in anorexia nervosa treatment.Front Psychol. 2017;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02273

Mittnacht AM, Bulik CM.Best nutrition counseling practices for the treatment of anorexia nervosa: A Delphi study: Nutrition Counseling for Anorexia Nervosa.Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(1):111-122. doi: 10.1002/eat.22319

Barthels F, Meyer F, Huber T, Pietrowsky R.Orthorexic eating behaviour as a coping strategy in patients with anorexia nervosa.Eat Weight Disord. 2017;22(2):269-276. doi: 10.1007/s40519-016-0329-x

Koven NS, Abry AW.The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat.2015;11:385-394. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S61665

Linville D, Brown T, Sturm K, McDougal T.Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals.Eat Disord. 2012;20(3):216-231. doi: 10.1080/10640266.2012.668480

Cardi V, Mallorqui-Bague N, Albano G, Monteleone AM, Fernandez-Aranda F, Treasure J.Social difficulties as risk and maintaining factors in anorexia nervosa: a mixed-method investigation.Front Psychiatry. 2018;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00012

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