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Being diagnosed withanorexiais life-changing.
There can be both relief and despair in receiving this diagnosis.
The despair can come from feeling overwhelmed by the road to health that lies ahead.
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Both are completely normal feelings.
You may be the loved one of someone grappling with a new diagnosis of anorexia.
Emotional
Receiving a diagnosis of an eating disorder can bring up a lot of complex feelings.
However, this is normal and can dissipate as your healing progresses.
It can be common to experience ambivalence regarding anorexia recovery.
If this ambivalence sounds familiar, bring it up with amental health professional.
Physical
Anorexia is a disorder that significantly impacts your body image.
Therefore, figuring out your relationship between food andexercisecan be particularly challenging.
This is because these eating behaviors dont 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.
They will be able to provide you with coping tools that provide relief, not further emotional pain.
Social
Youre never alone.
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.
Group therapycan also be beneficial.
you might also contactEating Disorder Hopewhich is a website with eating disorder treatment centers listed by state.
Resources & Organizations
It can feel extraordinarily daunting to consider where to turn for support.
Luckily, various organizations exist to support those recovering from an eating disorder.
Caregiving & Helping Others
Loving someone with an eating disordercan be painful.
Consider reaching out to alicensed psychotherapist.
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 crucialand early treatment is linked with better outcomes.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Eating disorders.
2018;0. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00012
