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By Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C  From an outside perspective, someone’s desire to ‘hold onto’ their eating disorder may seem confusing. However, we have to be mindful that eating disorder behaviors serve many functions for individuals (even though they make things worse in the long-term!). Many individuals with eating disorders also struggling with co-occurring illnesses-which can include depression or bipolar disorder (as well as a host of others, but this article will focus on mood disorders specifically). Often one function of eating disorder behaviors is an attempt to regulate emotions/mood. As someone who previously struggled with an eating disorder & depression, I have experienced how difficult this combination can be firsthand. The following are a few tips for those who are struggling with an eating disorder and a mood disorder. 1. Make sure that you are receiving treatment which addresses both the eating disorder and the mood disorder. It’s crucial that if you are struggling with a mood disorder that you try to access treatment which addresses both. This can look like seeking help from a therapist who specializes in these areas. Some individuals also find it to be helpful to be meeting with a psychiatrist and other allied treatment professionals who can help you to address the mood piece as well. There is no shame in taking medication to support your mental health. The same way that there is no shame in using an inhaler if have asthma. Taking a holistic approach i.e. including gentle yoga (if you are cleared by your medical team and tx team to do so!), meditation, and other creative outlets that can help with both your mood and recovery is another option to consider. 2. Practice self-compassion. I know it’s so hard and can feel unnatural in the beginning but beating yourself up for struggling will only serve to make you feel even worse. You can’t hate yourself into healing. Try to be kind to yourself. Struggling with an eating disorder is exhausting. Dealing with a co-occurring mental illness is also exhausting. You are so strong for continuing to try to cope with both. Try to give yourself some credit for all of the effort that you are putting into recovery. 3. Recognize the link between restricting food and mood. Restricting your food may provide a temporary high or numbing affect, but the impact on mood has been well documented. Not eating enough for your energy needs can intensify your mood disorder and make things even worse in the long term. Depression and bipolar disorder can also both impact appetite and may make it feel even harder to eat. In How to Thrive, Expert Tips for Coping with Depression and an Eating Disorder, Nicole Cruz, RD, says, ‘recognize that depression is a change in brain chemistry and to keep the brain functioning at its optimal level we need to maintain appropriate nutrition. In other words, we don’t want to contribute more to the depression and negative thoughts due to low nutrient intake. Cruz also states that, ‘carbohydrates are the primary source of energy to the brain and low carbohydrate diets are highly correlated with depression.' It’s important to make sure that you are getting enough food and adequate nutrients in order to not worsen your mood disorder (and for ED recovery/overall well-being!). The Bottom Line It’s so hard to be dealing with the double whammy of an eating disorder and a mood disorder. You may even tell yourself-well what’s the point of working on recovery from an eating disorder if I’m still going to be depressed (or struggle with bipolar disorder)? Both mood disorders and eating disorders are highly treatable and it’s far harder to address an underlying mood disorder when you are constantly battling eating disorder thoughts in your head. Additionally, I know that there is often a pull to use eating disorder behaviors to gain a (false) sense of control when your mood feels out of control. However, ultimately the deeper you are in an eating disorder-the less 'in control' you actually become. I know there might be part of you that wants to give up, but let this be a sign to keep taking small steps forward (chunking things down into smaller steps can be helpful for recovery). I promise, it will be worth it. The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also offer eating disorder therapy virtually throughout California serving those in cities including Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Woodland Hills, San Jose, and Beverly Hills. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com
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By Megan Samuels, Intern For Eating Disorder Center  Often times, holidays can be an anxiety producing time, being around friends, being with family, interacting in large social groups, food, body image, etc. Whether you are going to the beach for the July 4th, spending time with friends, or finding a little relaxation time (which is what I will be doing), I have created some tips for navigating anxiety during this holiday. Read through these tips and depending on what your holiday plans are, take a picture of some of them so they are easily accessible for you to remember throughout the day/evening/weekend of celebration. Tip #1: Take some time for self-care If you choose to stay home for July 4th, consider engaging in some relaxing self-care activities. These could include, drawing, journaling, taking a bubble bath, or curling up with a blanket and your favorite childhood movie (mine is the Sound of Music). It's ok if you don't have 'big plans' for the holiday. Take the time instead, to practice being kind to yourself. Tip #2: Watch the fireworks Watching the fireworks can be another great way to practice those mindfulness skills. Try laying on the grass (or a blanket) looking up at the sky. Let your body relax. Let your body know that it is safe. Notice the colors of the fireworks. What colors do you see? What emotions are evoked from each color? What physical sensations are happening within your body? How does it feel to be lying on the ground? Do you feel more connected to nature? What thoughts are coming up? What do the fireworks sound like? How does it feel to be so close to the ground? Tip #3: Comfort animals July 4th is not a favorite holiday for all living creatures. I know that my dog will pace around the house shaking during the fireworks. Then she will run to the basement and hide in the bathtub. I take this opportunity to sit with my dog and comfort her. As I am comforting her, I also feel comfort from her just by being in her presence. Take this opportunity to connect with your pet. Tell your pet a story or explain to them what you have been up to that day. You can also try resting your head on your pet’s body and listening for their heartbeat or breathing pattern. Does your heartbeat or breathing pattern match the pattern of your pet? How are they similar? How are they different? Don’t have a pet at home? No neighbors with pets around? Some local animal shelters will let volunteers comfort animals during the fireworks on the 4th of July. Look into animal shelters in your area to see if this could be a possibility for you. Tip #4: Notice how you feel in your body Take a moment (or longer) to notice how you feel in your body. How connected do you feel? Describe what you currently feel in your body. What are you wearing? Describe the feeling of the clothing against your skin. How do you feel about what you are wearing? Do you feel calm? Do you feel anxious? Where is that anxiety coming from? How can we calm down? How does your body feel in relation to the weather and the temperature outside? It's helpful to try to practice 'curiosity without judgement' when it comes to noticing body sensations. You can also try doing a meditation to relax your nervous system, apps I like include 'Insight Timer' and 'Headspace.' Tip #5: Eat food that you actually enjoy Eating disorders and diet culture love to tell you that certain foods are 'good' or 'bad,' but this is simply not the case. Today (and everyday) you deserve to eat foods that you actually enjoy-without beating yourself up or trying to 'compensate' in some way later. Food is not just fuel, it's also about pleasure, enjoyment, and social connection. If your eating disorder is trying to give you rules around food today, work to practice an 'opposite action' to whatever your eating disorder urges are. This is true strength. The Bottom Line I hope that these were helpful during your July 4th experience! Gratitude and mindfulness can help you check-in with you body and respect it. It can also act as an opportunity to thank you body for all that it does for you, and for letting you be with friends and watching the fireworks or being snuggled up with your pet at home. The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also offer eating disorder therapy virtually throughout California serving those in cities including Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Woodland Hills, San Jose, and Beverly Hills. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com |
The Eating Disorder CenterWe are a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center in Rockville, Maryland.
We also provide eating disorder recovery coaching to people worldwide via Zoom. Click here to book your free 15 minute phone consultation! Phone: 301-246-6856 Email: [email protected] Archives
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