Holidays can be a problem for those with eating disorders, food issues
Resources for information and support:
Toll-free information and referral helpline: 1-800-931-2237
Email: info@NationalEatingDisorders.org
781-932-6300
770-458-8711
Katherine S. used to dread the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve, when everyone - it seemed - was pushing a plate of food at her.
Pies. Cakes. Leftover turkey. Sweet potato casserole and dressing. Almost like magic, food would appear from someone’s kitchen.
For years, Katherine, who didn't want her full name used to honor the tradition of anonymity of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, struggled with binge eating until she joined Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, which uses a 12-step program very similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
The 41-year-old Georgia woman, like many others, found that holidays presented special challenges. Food is a central theme from November through December , whether it’s at a work party, friendly get together or family gathering.
Her effort to be more disciplined, didn’t always sit well with others.
She was told she wasn’t fun anymore. Or asked why she had to be so rigid. Others nudged her to eat more.
Previously, she had been “completely obsessed by food to the point I thought about it all the time,” Katherine said. “I learned to cook and bake before I was tall enough to reach the counter top. I majored in French, I think, because of my love of the culture and the food. I had never heard of the term food addiction.”
Others may find they need help this week.
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous will hold a free "Thank-a-thon" meeting from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving day to lend support. The meeting will be held at Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road.
Many people don’t like to talk publicly about the issue because of stigma faced by many with food issues and eating disorders.
“It’s definitely a stressful time because the holidays are pretty much laden with food,” said Wanda Dennis, an Atlanta psychologist whose specialties include eating disorders. “There’s usually a lot of anxiety because people expect them to eat.”
As a result, some people opt to avoid such gatherings altogether.
Eating disorders can be complex, serious and, at times, life-threatening conditions that can affect a person's emotional and physical health, according to the National Eating Disorders Association.
In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from eating disorder at some time in their lives, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder.
"You hear people with anorexia say things like 'My eating disorder has ruined my holiday. It makes me not want to be around people'," said Linda P. Buchanan, founder and clinical co-director of the Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders. "I think one of the things that they need to tell themselves is that no one meal is going to change my body. I deserve to enjoy this holiday."
She said tells clients to avoid the triggers that might make them overeat or under eat, but don’t stay home alone. That may only make someone sad or depressed and “it will probably make you do what you didn’t want to do at the party.”
Buchanan offers the following advice:
Don’t starve before a party or gathering. Eat a good breakfast or lunch, don’t go hungry.
Utilize healthy eating principles. Choose things you like, then try to eat with awareness.
When you are finished make a grounding statement like: I enjoyed that. I ate a normal meal like a normal person. I am satisfied, now I can move on from food to other events.
Holidays are much easier for Katherine now. “After the holidays, I can feel good about my body and my behavior around food. I am able to focus instead on the people I love.”
Tips for managing the holidays:
- Make a plan. Avoiding food situations is pretty impossible this time of year, but it's also not mandatory. Talk with your treatment team about what is smart for YOU and make a plan for how to handle upcoming plans.
- Choose a buddy. Find someone who can help you through upcoming situations and ask them to be your support buddy.
- Wear something comfortable. How you look should not be something you stress out about.
- Decide it's okay to change plans. Make a backup plan that says you can change everything. Thanksgiving will be here again in a year, and you can start over then. If plans don't work out next year, you have a whole year to work through the challenges you encounter now.
- Don't forget to connect with others
Source: National Eating Disorders Association
About the Author
Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.
