EATING DISORDERS

Coping with Eating Disorders

BY SOPHIA YOERKS AND ASHLEE BURNS

Recovering from eating disorders can be “like a roller coaster,” having its ups and downs, said therapist Moriah Kruegar, who specializes in eating disorders. However, she said acknowledging that recovery can be steps forward and steps back can help. During recovery, “when things seem their hardest that doesn’t mean they are at their worst,” Kruegar said.

Juliet’s eating disorder stemmed from body image issues, and she started skipping breakfast and eventually stopped eating other meals. Juliet can find her eating disorder hard to talk about, but she wants people to know, “keep reaching out for help and someone will be there.”

Now on her road of recovery, Juliet makes a goal to eat more breakfast and seconds of a meal throughout the week. Juliet has a friend who brings her a snack every day to make sure she eats. Although Juliet’s friend doesn’t know the full extent of her eating disorder, she finds the support of a friend helps. She feels like the best thing that other people can do who know someone with an eating disorder is listen.

For Demetrius, finding people who will listen and people who will share their experience also has helped them validate their own experience. “There is 100% a stigma around eating disorders,” wrote Demetrius over email. “Oftentimes people won’t actually listen to your story because they will instead look at how you look, or your size, and that’s how they determine if your story is worth anything.” Knowing that they aren’t alone shows them some people will understand their situation and motivates them to continue recovering.

Helena expressed their similar view on how they feel about the preconceptions regarding eating disorders: “It’s even harder when you don’t fit into one of the main three categories–anorexia, bulimia or binge eating–because there are a lot more that are not specified.”

Helena explained their experience after diagnosis:

“I find some of the most critical people are the people with labeled eating disorders, because they’re like, ‘Oh, if it’s not labeled, then you don’t actually have it.’” They also find it challenging to talk to people who don’t have any previous experience with disordered eating because of misconceptions they might have.

“It really depends on what you’re going through, but you need to have a good support system,” Helena said. In Helena’s experience, making friends and connecting with people has been most helpful for coping. Talking with trusted peers and adults can help lift heavy burdens.

Kruegar agreed with the importance of a strong support system. She said for some people, opening up to family or friends can be an important part of recovery.

She also encouraged people to find a reason to want to recover for themselves.

For example, she said, people can find reasons like “’I want to get better because then I’ll have more energy to do the sports I love,’ or ‘I want to recover because then I’ll be able to have more energy to put in those relationships with the people I love.’”

There are many easily accessible resources within the school, and Kruegar suggested for students to see a school counselor to find a support system that best addresses their needs. Counselors can connect students to resources such as social workers, therapists like Kruegar and other eating disorder specialists.

If you would like to connect with more resources, go to nationaleatingdisorders. org and/or reach out to a trusted peer or adult.

Note: this article contains details about disordered eating, its symptoms, and its effects. It also includes resources and pathways towards recovery. More information is available at nationaleatingdisorders.org. Students who were interviewed will remain anonymous and be referred to through pseudonyms.

National Eating Disorder Association Helpline - 1-800-931-2237

GRAPHIC BY SOPHIA YOERKS