Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can have devastating effects on sufferers. They can result in severe consequences such as infertility, heart disease, and even death. Those who suffer from eating disorders tend to engage in unhealthy behaviors like binge eating, starving themselves, and various methods of compensation for eating. Eating disorder rehab centers can be beneficial for those who need professional help dealing with their condition. However, there are other ways to manage your symptoms at home without needing to check into a clinic. Biofeedback treatments are one such way. These treatments involve using sensors to monitor certain physical responses and training yourself to control them using relaxation techniques. This article explains how biofeedback treatments can help with eating disorders, so keep reading to know more!
What is Biofeedback?
Biofeedback is a technique that teaches you to control certain physiological responses, such as heart rate or temperature, using relaxation techniques. It is typically used to treat health conditions such as headaches, anxiety, and sleep problems. People who suffer from eating disorders often have imbalances in their nervous systems. This can affect their decision-making skills and lead them to engage in disordered eating behaviors. When you engage in biofeedback treatments, sensors are attached to various parts of your body. You are then shown data related to your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. You can use this information to train your body to respond in a healthier way.
Why is Biofeedback Good for Eating Disorders?
The cause of eating disorders is largely unknown. However, studies suggest that there is an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brains of people who struggle with eating disorders. In addition, individuals with eating disorders tend to have lower heart rates than people who don’t. This can be a sign of a dysfunctional autonomic nervous system, which is the system that controls the functioning of your organs. It can be helpful to use biofeedback treatments for eating disorders because you can see the data about your heart rate. This can help you regain control over your autonomic nervous system and increase your tools in managing your eating disorder symptoms. Studies have shown that biofeedback treatments can lead to improvements in eating disorder symptoms and are typically more effective when used alongside other therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
How Does Biofeedback Work in Eating Disorders?
Similar to other mental illnesses, the cause of eating disorders is not fully understood. It’s possible that eating disorders are influenced by genetic or environmental factors, or a combination of the two. There’s also the possibility that these factors can interact with each other. Someone who has a genetic predisposition to developing an eating disorder may experience a trigger that puts them at a higher risk for its development. What happens during biofeedback treatments? As mentioned above, sensors are attached to various parts of your body. You are then shown data related to your vital signs. You can use this information to train your body to respond in a healthier way. For example, you can use biofeedback to train your heart rate to get lower when you eat, to ease some of the anxiety that you may experience when eating.
Eating disorders are serious health conditions that often require professional treatment. Eating disorder rehab centers can be a helpful option to consider. However, there are other options besides in-patient care. Biofeedback can be a helpful tool in understanding your body’s reaction to food, and increase use of skills to managing responses rather than using eating disorder behaviors. Biofeedback treatments can be helpful for those with eating disorders.
Intermittent fasting has been gaining popularity in recent years as a way to help with weight loss and health. However, eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia also involve frequent eating and fasting. So, is intermittent fasting a gateway to eating disorders? Intermittent fasting involves periods of time where you don’t eat anything (also known as a fast), broken up by windows of time where you do eat. Any type of diet that involves restricting calories can lead to an eating disorder. But, the risks of developing an eating disorder are not related directly to intermittent fasting. Instead, they have more to do with how it’s practiced and what purposes it serves for the individual. There are different types of intermittent fasting, each with its own rules about when and how often one eats and the different goals behind it. Here, we explore the different types of Intermittent Fasting, their pros and cons, benefits, and common pitfalls – along with recommendations for which kinds of Intermittent Fasting might be helpful or harmful for different people.
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a diet that cycles between periods of fasting and not fasting (or eating very little). People who do this generally try to eat what they normally would, but just less of it. Typically, people who practice intermittent fasting will fast for a set period of time (e.g., 16 hours every day) and then eat within a set “eating window” (e.g., 8 hours every day). That’s the basic idea behind all of the different types of intermittent fasting.
Time-Restricted feeding
Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a type of intermittent fasting where you only eat during a specific time period each day (e.g., from 10am to 6pm). You can also TRF by eating all of your daily calories in one sitting and then fasting for the rest of the day. Time-restricted feeding may be useful for people who have trouble with portion control and satisfying hunger with smaller meals at more frequent intervals. But, there’s also evidence that Time-Restricted Feeding can be beneficial for people who are trying to lose weight.
Weekly intermittent fasting
This type of intermittent fasting mimics the way people ate throughout much of human history. People on weekly intermittent fasting eat normally for five days every week and then drastically reduce their food intake (or don’t eat at all) for two non-consecutive days each week. Fasting once per week may yield some of the same health benefits as daily intermittent fasting, including reducing risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, it’s unclear if fasting just once per week will produce the same benefits as daily intermittent fasting.
Feast and fast days
Feast and fast days are similar to weekly intermittent fasting in that people eat normally five days every week, then drastically reduce their food intake once per week. The difference is that people on feast and fast days “fast” for an entire day rather than just one meal. Some people who practice intermittent fasting believe that only restricting food intake for 24 hours at a time is less mentally taxing than fasting for an entire week. Depending on how one practices intermittent fasting, it may be helpful for people who are trying to lose weight, improve their health, and/or reduce symptoms of certain diseases. In fact, intermittent fasting may be more effective than daily calorie restriction for some people.
The bottom line: Is intermittent fasting a gateway to eating disorders?
Intermittent fasting is only a risk factor for an eating disorder if it’s used as a way to cope with negative emotions and/or if it’s used compulsively. If the only reason you’re fasting is because you want to lose weight, you may be at risk. However, there are many different types of intermittent fasting and they each have different pros and cons. So, even though intermittent fasting has been linked to an increased risk of eating disorders, there are types of intermittent fasting that are more likely than others to lead to an eating disorder. Indeed, eating disorders are complex mental illnesses, and not just about diet. But, the way one practices an eating pattern can make a big difference.
What are the risks of intermittent fasting?
Eating disorders: When people use dieting and weight loss to cope with negative emotions, they often develop an eating disorder. This can happen in the context of any diet that restricts food intake, including intermittent fasting.
Nutrient deficiencies: Intermittent fasting can be harmful if you don’t get enough calories and/or nutrients from foods like protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like iron and B vitamins. That’s because when you’re not eating, your body is breaking down muscle for energy, so you can run out of these important nutrients. And, if you’re not eating enough during the “eating window” of an intermittent fasting diet, you can also become deficient in certain nutrients.
What are the benefits of intermittent fasting?
Improved insulin sensitivity: Some research suggests that daily intermittent fasting may improve insulin sensitivity, which can help in managing diabetes.
Better heart health: intermittent fasting may increase levels of “good” cholesterol, lower levels of triglycerides (blood fats), and reduce inflammation, which can all be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Better mental health: Some studies suggest that intermittent fasting may improve anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
More time: One study found that people who practiced daily intermittent fasting reported feeling less stressed out and having more time in their lives.
An eating disorder is a mental illness that can be extremely difficult to experience. It’s not only trying for the person with the eating disorder, but also for their loved ones. Eating disorders are more common than you think. In fact, about one in five young women will struggle with an eating disorder at some point in their life. These diseases are usually triggered by stressors, such as family issues, peer pressure, and personal problems, and can be manifested as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. An individual suffering from an eating disorder may have a hard time trusting others, especially if they have been hurt in the past. Their trust issues may also make it harder for them to open up about their struggles and seek help sooner when necessary. Here are some struggles of living with someone who has an eating disorder:
You’ll feel like you can’t help them.
Living with someone who has an eating disorder can make you feel helpless at times. You want to be there for them and help them get better, but you may not know exactly how. You may feel like you need to step in and help, but they may push you away because they don’t want to be “fixed,” or they may not even realize they have a problem. In these moments, it’s important to try and remain calm. You can’t help them if you’re stressed out too. Let them know that it’s OK and that you’re here to help. Showing them love and support is always the right thing to do.
Living with a person suffering from an eating disorder can be extremely stressful.
Many people with eating disorders don’t seek treatment because they don’t feel like they have a problem. They may not view themselves as “sick enough” or needing help, which can make living with them even more difficult. You may feel like you’re walking on eggshells around them out of fear of saying the wrong thing and triggering them. You may feel like you can’t be yourself around them or like you need to pretend to be someone you’re not just to make them feel better. This can be extremely stressful and can damage your relationships with others in the long run.
You may worry about their physical and mental health.
People with eating disorders often have a hard time taking care of their bodies and their mental health. You may worry that they don’t eat enough or that they’re not getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy. You may also worry that they will hurt themselves if there have been safety concerns. You may also worry that their eating disorder will get worse and become even more serious and dangerous.
You will feel overburdened by responsibilities.
Living with someone with an eating disorder can add a lot of responsibilities and stress to your life. You may feel like you need to monitor their diet, their exercise habits, and their mental health. You may feel like you need to make sure they eat enough and that they don’t skip meals or not eat healthfully. You may also feel like you need to keep track of how much time they spend on their phone or computer, or how much time they spend exercising. You may feel like you need to keep tabs on their social media interactions too.
Your loved one may use you as a coping mechanism.
People with eating disorders often rely on their loved ones for emotional support and as a coping tool. They may use you to distract themselves from their problems, use you as a sounding board for their issues, yet struggle to consistently want to address the eating disorder.
Living with someone who has an eating disorder can be difficult and stressful. It can be more challenging if the individual does not want help, or does not realize there is a problem. You can help your loved ones by being there for them when they need it, but also by setting healthy boundaries. It is important for them to know you love and support them, and are there to help when they are ready.
Most people understand that Bulimia is when someone eats food and purges it shortly after. There are still some misconceptions surrounding bulimia that are important to be aware of. Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging. While bulimia is often thought of as a disorder that affects young women, it can actually affect people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Bulimia is often triggered by dieting. When people restrict their food intake, they may be more likely to binge when finally giving in to their cravings. Here are five facts you probably didn’t know about Bulimia.
Bulimia Is Often Rooted In Compulsive Behavior/Habits
Bulimia typically impacts people focused on their body image, and feeling that they need to control their weight. Eating what they want, and feeling guilt and embarrassment, will be purged by vomiting excessive diuretics or laxatives. There can also be an over-exercise component in order to compensate for food eaten, leading to injuries and deficiencies in their body.
It Is Possible To Have Normal Body Weight Even With Bulimia?
If someone is bulimic, it doesn’t automatically mean they will be clinically underweight. The person who has bulimia can still be an average body weight since they are still consuming calories, and their body adjusts to the lack of calories, so their weight doesn’t fluctuate as drastically. Some cases of bulimia are misdiagnosed as something else because you often do not see the drastic change in your body as you would with anorexia.
Bulimia doesn’t mean you purge after every meal
If someone is bulimic, it doesn’t automatically mean they will be clinically underweight. The person who has bulimia can still be an average body weight since they are still consuming calories, and their body adjusts to the lack of calories, so their weight doesn’t fluctuate as drastically. Some cases of bulimia are misdiagnosed as something else because you often do not see the drastic change in your body as you would with anorexia.
It’s About Control
People with bulimia may experience the desire to be skinny. Still, in many cases, the people that struggle with this are seeking control of something in their life; food can be an easier method of controlling the food you eat and when and how you purge, making it a vicious cycle that can be very difficult to get out of.
Men suffer from bulimia too
We typically mostly hear about women struggling with this eating disorder. The percentage of bulimia cases According to data, is that nearly 15% of people being treated for bulimia and anorexia are actually male. Males are less likely to seek help and are less likely to show noticeable symptoms.
Bulimia impacts many people of all ages, races, and genders and should be considered a serious threat to someone’s life. Bulimia is associated with a higher risk of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with bulimia, it’s essential to get professional help. Bulimia can be difficult to overcome on one’s own, but with treatment, recovery is possible.
Bulimia nervosa, commonly referred to simply as bulimia, is an eating disorder that results in binging and purging. Binging refers to the act of eating a large amount of food in a short period of time, often more than what would be expected in a typical eating scenario. Purging refers to the behavior of compensation for the over-eating, such as forced vomiting, the use of laxatives and enemas, or extreme exercise. The bulimic may continue to starve themself between binges in a misguided attempt to compensate for food consumed during a binge. Bulimia can be caused by numerous factors that lead to its development including low self-esteem, depression, and a desire to be thin.
Less Common. Equally Dangerous.
Bulimia is a less common but equally dangerous eating disorder like anorexia nervosa. In bulimia, the sufferer eats abnormally large amounts of food in a short amount of time, known as binging, followed by purging in an attempt to not to gain weight. They may spend many hours each day thinking about food, what they will eat, how to go about getting it, as well as planning for purging. After purging, bulimics often feel as if they’ve already eaten as much as they should. They may eat very little for weeks following an episode of binging and purging, leading to very low body weight.
Understanding Bulimia
Bulimia can be challenging to treat if the individual is not ready to address the concerns, feels shameful about it, or does not think it is a problem. Sometimes they may cover up their low body weight with baggy clothes and hope that no one will notice. People with bulimia (45.2 %) are also more likely than anorexics (34.6%) to commit suicide (Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2013).
A common misconception about eating disorders is that people only want to be thin. Bulimia can be used as a coping skill or to feel relief from unpleasant feelings, such as anxiety, guilt, depression, or anger. They may end up feeling shame or guilt from using the behavior, which could be minimized in comparison to the desire for weight loss or control.
However, people with bulimia should remember that bulimia causes many dangerous side effects, which can lead to organ failure and death, without proper treatment. Bulimia can be treated, and asking for help can lead to recovery and a reduced risk of danger from the disorder. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder please reach out to us here for eating disorder treatment today.
The idea of body positivity is not easy to explain. People are often confused about what body positivity entails, why it’s essential, and how someone can achieve this sense of self-love. As a result, many people dismiss the entire movement as a confusing fad in popular culture that will eventually fade into obscurity.
The thing is, body positivity is a lot of things to a lot of people. And while many people share the ideal goal of achieving self-love and accepting oneself to be happy, there are multiple paths to get there. So here’s my attempt at clearing up some of the confusion and offering some general advice on how to start incorporating body positivity into your life, regardless of your starting point.
Not About Weight or Size
First and foremost, body positivity is not about weight or size. It’s not about being “thin” or “fit.” It’s not even about being healthy. Body positivity accepts one’s body as it exists right now, regardless of size or appearance. It’s about loving your shape and working towards feeling the most comfortable and confident in your skin possible.
Next, let’s talk about why you might be struggling with this concept: Perhaps an adverse event happened to you regarding your body that left you self-conscious and ashamed. Maybe you grew up being bullied or teased about your weight, or perhaps you were constantly told that you were “too fat” or “too skinny.”
These experiences can leave a lasting impact and make it difficult to feel good about oneself. It’s also possible that you are struggling because our society places an unhealthy amount of importance on appearance. We are constantly bombarded with images of “perfect” people in the media, making it tough to feel good about ourselves when we don’t match up.
Start With Mindset
So how can you start to change your mindset? The first step is to begin recognizing your internal dialogue. Are you constantly putting yourself down? Do you criticize your body and find fault in your appearance? If so, it’s time to start being kinder to yourself.
Think about what you would say to a friend if they struggled with self-confidence. Would you tell them that they’re ugly? That they’re unworthy of love or happiness? Of course not! You would likely tell them that they are beautiful, capable, and deserving of love. Start using the same language when speaking to yourself. It may feel fake at first, but it will become more natural.
Another way to start working towards body positivity is to start practicing self-compassion. This means being gentle and forgiving towards yourself in moments of doubt or insecurity. It’s not easy to be kind to ourselves when we’re feeling down about ourselves, but it’s a crucial step. Instead of thinking, “ugh, I look so fat,” try saying, “it’s okay that I feel this way.”
It can take a while to retrain your mindset, but it’s well worth it. There is no set timeline or roadmap to achieve self-love and accept yourself as you are. It’s something that you have to work towards overtime, and it will look different for everyone.
Some helpful tips to get started
Focus on your positive qualities, no matter how small they seem.
Try not to compare yourself to others, as this is never productive.
Remember that you are worthy of love and happiness regardless of your looks.
Try to practice self-compassion and kindness in moments of doubt.
I know that you are probably feeling powerless and frustrated when your teenager is skipping meals or says they are full even though they’ve eaten next to nothing. I want to help you learn how you can be the best support for your teen in this difficult time. In this article, I am going to tell you about seven tips to help a teenager with an eating disorder.
1. Learn More About Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are not a choice. They can be related to stress, depression, anxiety and body image issues. There are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
Anorexia is a disorder that has to do with restricting food intake, potentially leading to dangerously low body weight and a distorted shape. Binge-eating disorder is generally defined as eating large amounts of food during periods of time when the person isn’t hungry, while feeling out of control. Bulimia involves eating large amounts of food in a limited time and then intentionally purging through vomiting, using laxatives or other methods to avoid weight gain (or loss).
Eating disorders often can be life-threatening and have many complications including malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance and heart failure. They are serious mental health problems that can require treatment from a doctor or mental health therapist.
Many people think that those with an eating disorder will be overly concerned about amounts of food and weight gain but this is not always the case. In fact, most of the time, they are primarily concerned with body image.
Some of the signs that a teenager may have an eating disorder include intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, extreme efforts to control their food intake and social isolation from other people who do not share in this perspective on food and exercise.
An eating disorder can be related to mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Parents of a teenager who has an eating disorder should be on the lookout for changes in mood or behavior that could indicate this issue. The severity varies between individuals but there should always be some concern if you’re noticing these patterns in your teen. You need to have a conversation with them, even if they want to avoid it.
2. Keep A Variety of Eating Options at Home
One of the most important things you can do for your teenager is to keep a variety of food options at home. This may include different types of fruits and vegetables, protein sources like meat or beans, as well as snack options like popcorn and pretzels. It’s not always possible to cook every night so if that’s true in your family then it will be helpful to have these other choices available sometimes.
Your teen may have certain foods that feel more and less “safe” to eat. It is important for them to have a variety of food options, and refrain from avoiding any certain type of food. Encourage your teen to experiment with new foods and try not to judge any food choice they make as “good” or “bad”.
It is important to follow through on your promise of providing your teen with regular meals and snacks so that impulsivity does not get out of hand! Make sure you prepare these things ahead of time as well, so there isn’t any excuse to not eat.
3.Talk to Your Teen Openly About Their Eating Behaviors
Encourage your teen to talk about their thoughts and feelings around food. Do not judge or lecture them, but listen with empathy. Ask open-ended questions like “How do you feel?”; “What is going on for you at this time?”, etc. By listening, you are not only showing support for your teen, but you are also providing insight into their mind. By asking open questions and truly listening, you help your teen improve low self-esteem, you improve your relationship with your child, and you encourage them to come to you with their problems.
The best way to start the conversation is with an empathic statement: “I can tell this has been really hard on you” or “It must be difficult having these negative thoughts all of the time.” From there, offer a listening ear so they don’t feel like everyone else just wants them to get better. This might help motivate your teen towards change.
Again, make sure not to lecture though or make your teen feel guilty about their eating disoder, no matter how much you want it to be gone. For many people who suffer from eating disorders, being told what they should eat provides another form of restriction which needs to be fought against so that recovery may begin. It helps if parents work alongside professionals instead of imposing diets upon their child. Remember, if you are not qualified to give medical advice or create treatment plans, you should stick to what you do best, being a parent!
It is also possible that your teen may have other mental health issues in addition to any type of eating disorder – such as depression, anxiety, trauma history, etc. You would want to address these concerns separately before diving into the specifics about food restriction behaviors because there could be physical or emotional reasons behind this behavior. If an eating disorder is complex or your teenager is in danger, it may be time to consider eating disorder treatment, a support group, or individual and family therapy.
4.Set a Good Example
Set a good example with your eating habits and model an appropriate relationship with food. It’s important that you teach your teen that eating is about nourishment and not to feel bad or good. If you want them to understand this, then it’s important for you to practice what you preach!
Try to model acceptance of all body types and reject the intense focus on weight loss and thinness. This will help prevent your teen from developing a negative body image. By modeling a positive body image, you can also help your teen develop a positive relationship with food.
Promote balance and moderation in your message about eating to get across the idea that there is no “good or bad” foods. It is important for teens with an eating disorder to be surrounded by a healthy environment where they can feel loved and accepted regardless of how much food they are consuming.
It’s okay if you don’t know how to fix your child’s eating disorder. Your job is to be a parent, not a therapist. So, it’s okay to tell them that you don’t know what to do. Consider family therapy or other resources to learn more with your child about improving eating behaviors.
5.Be Curious
One helpful tool to use to support your teen is asking questions and being curious.
For example, you could ask: “What foods make you feel negative about yourself?” “Are there foods that feel triggering to you?” “Is there anything that makes you happy or improves your mood? What’s the best thing about being at home with family and friends?”
Sometimes teens will put themselves on “diet” restrictions without currently being diagnosed with any type of disorder. When your child starts restricting their diet or changing their eating habits, it is important to be curious about what their goal is. If they are not being treated for an eating disorder but are simply “trying” a new diet or exercise routine and limiting calories on purpose then the conversation should be different from when you’re talking with someone who has been diagnosed as having anorexia(for example).
When being curious with your loved one, do not be critical. Be supportive and curious about their intentions.
“I’m really worried because you’ve been cutting back on calories a lot lately. What’s going on?” “What do you hope to be able to achieve with this new diet? I want to know how I can support your goals.” “Are these changes just temporary for now, or something that you plan to stick with for a while?”
If your loved one is uncomfortable talking about their weight or eating, then I would recommend being more direct. The stakes are too high when someone has anorexia and/or another type of eating disorder. “Are you hungry? Are you struggling at all with food right now?”
It’s important too that you don’t criticize what they eat because this will not be helpful and may make them want to hide an eating disorder even further. Try and find a gentle way to raise your concerns.
6.Talk about the Benefits of Exercise without Focusing on Weight Loss.
Teens are becoming overly focused on body fat, dieting, and body image. While exercise is important, the focus should be on healthy exercise. Encourage them to try different types of exercises, like aerobic exercise and yoga or martial arts (if they are up for it).
You can also encourage them to join an intramural sports team at school or a local community center so that they can make connections with others who might be dealing with similar struggles. However, it’s important not to pressure your teen if they don’t want to participate in physical activity, as this could have the opposite effect on them than what you intend.
It is important that the focus of exercise be on maintaining wellness and a healthy lifestyle. This will help to encourage your teen to adopt an exercise plan, which can be beneficial for both physical and mental health.
7.Talk about Stress Management
It is important to talk about how to manage stress as well as accept your child’s emotions without judgment. It is very common for children experiencing eating disorders to feel extremely stressed out and overwhelmed by their lives; however, these feelings are often temporary and usually will get better if you support your teen in acknowledging and expressing their feelings.
It is also important to work towards accepting emotions without judgment, which can be difficult for many parents when their teenage child has an eating disorder. Acknowledge the emotion as it’s happening rather than waiting until the end of a situation before addressing something that seems like a “big deal.” For example: If she throws up after being out with friends or starts crying because she was yelled at by her teacher, say something right away instead of telling her how disappointed you are after the fact. This will help reduce any self-blame on behalf of your teenager and show them that they don’t need to keep things hidden from you.
You can also do your best to reduce the stress level at home. Make sure every family member has enough time for themselves, so they can have the energy to spend with the teen. Try not to put additional pressure on them such as by being too demanding or providing overwhelming expectations (for example: “I need you to do all these chores before your friends come over”).
Do things together that are relaxing and fun like going out to a movie or taking a walk in the park. You can also do your best to increase positive attention. Take an interest in what they are interested in, provide them with opportunities for success, be patient with their mistakes, praise them when appropriate (for example: “I am so proud of you!”), and spend more time using positive communication techniques such as active listening.
Don’t make any big decisions for your child without talking about it first, even something small (like deciding where to go eat dinner) because there are always potential consequences which means more stress for everyone involved.
Eating disorders are one of the most common and challenging mental illnesses for teenagers. Whether your teen is battling anorexia, binge eating disorder, or bulimia, they need help in this fight. By following these tips you can make a difference in their life that will last a lifetime. If you think your child may still be struggling with an eating disorder, contact me today to get started on helping them heal!
Due to the coronavirus, we have all spent the last month adjusting to a new (temporary) normal of staying indoors, refraining from socializing, and taking extra precautions for sanitation. Couples are postponing their weddings, and parents are learning to homeschool their children. Trips are being canceled, and all meals are being eaten at home. Although the days are passing and blending together, people that celebrate the Jewish holidays may be aware that Passover will begin this week.
Passover is a Jewish holiday that begins on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, this year coinciding with Wednesday, April 8th at sundown. The story of Passover is found in the book of Exodus, and describes the Israelites escape from slavery in ancient Egypt. The story explains that God inflicted 10 plagues onto the Egyptian people under the Pharoah’s rule, and when the last plague (the death of the Egyptian first-born) occurred, Pharoah agreed to let the Israelites go and be free. Israelites were instructed to mark their homes so that their children would be saved, and their homes would be “passed over,” therefore giving the holiday it’s name, Passover. Jewish people all around the world will celebrate by having a seder (which means “order”, since the story of the holiday is told in a specific order) on the first (and second) night of Passover.
Notably, this holiday requires a restriction on certain types of food. The story of Passover explains that once Pharoah agreed to let the Israelites go, they did not have much time to prepare for their departure. Due to their rush, their bread did not have enough time to rise. The interpretation is celebrated in modern times as not having food and beverages that contain leavened bread and yeast. For those observing Passover, there is an intense preparation period, where the house gets cleansed from all of the forbidden foods, which are replaced with Kosher for Passover food. For anyone, it is a challenge to change your diet for 8 days when you are accustomed to eating popular and delicious foods regularly, such as bagels, bread and pizza. For those with an active eating disorder, or a history of an eating disorder, the challenge increases.
Many Jewish holidays and traditions have a strong food component to them, whether it is latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) on Chanukah, challah and matzo ball soup on Shabbat (weekly Holy Sabbath), or a big feast after Yom Kippur concludes. On Passover, there is typically a festive dinner that commences the holidays. For someone who is constantly thinking about food and weight, these holidays can be triggers for emotional escalation and maladaptive behavior use. The limited food options and focus around food can be reminders of restricting food intake and over-eating.
On a typical Passover, people are able to leave their homes to engage in a normal routine. Why is this Passover different from all over Passovers? This year, we are staying indoors, working from home, and refraining from outdoor activities. This can be challenging for someone with a history of an eating disorder, due to the increased isolation and focus on foods. If you or a loved one can relate to this, here are some helpful reminders in staying hopeful this Passover season.
You may be isolating, but you are not alone in this. The prevalence of eating disorders is on the rise, and they do not discrimiate based on race, gender, sex, ethniciity or otherwise. There are virtual support groups nearly every day of the week where you can connect to other people with similar struggles, as well as professionals for additional support. Refer to the NEDA website for information.
Your support system is there for you. Communicate with your loved ones – tell them how they can support you. Communicate with your providers – be honest about how you are feeling. Communicate with yourself – listen to what your body and mind need.
You can engage in self-care from home everyday. Due to the current limitations, we may have to get creative about how to relax in the confines of your neighborhood. Choose a show to watch and a book to read; take walks while listening to music; play a board game or a card game.
You do not have to follow the guidelines of Passover if it is a matter of life and death. When it comes down to it, health comes first. If following the Passover food restrictions has the possibility of bringing back eating disorder behaviors, I encourage you not to follow the traditional rules.
This too shall pass. Emotions come and emotions go. Passover will start and Passover will end. We are sheltered at home now, and that will conclude as well. Try to stay present each day. You have had challenging days that you made it through, and you can get through this storm too.
Now that Daylight Savings has passed, we are officially ‘springing ahead’ to spring. While many people look forward to wearing jean jackets and flowy dresses, people with body image issues may be hesitant to ditch their winter jackets and gloves. Those who suffer with eating disorders (or struggle with body image) may be thinking less about the increased light, and more about their wardrobes and bodies.
A common side effect of having an eating disorder is poor body image, and some people will experience body dysmorphia (hyperfocusing on the “flaws” of one’s own body, and often seeing a different image of one’s body than others see). With the inevitable changing of the seasons, thoughts about wearing less clothing and showing more skin can increase the prevalence of anxiety and depression.
If you’re struggling with thoughts of warmer weather, consider these tips for the seasonal adjustment:
DO NOT
DO NOT Compare your body to anyone else’s body, or “your old body”… Your body is your own, and it naturally changes with time. Comparisons generally lead to negative thoughts!
DO NOT spend too much time looking in the mirror… The more time you look at yourself, the more likely you are to find details that bother you. Limit your time in front of the mirror to the essentials, like brushing your teeth, hair, and other basic needs. Staring at your body will not change your body!
DO NOT implement food rules and weight loss goals… This can lead to feelings of failure and self-deprecation. Ie: if your goal is to “not have any chocolate this week,” how will you feel if you have a piece of chocolate?
DO NOT neglect your activities of daily living… Go to your appointments, talk to your support systems, engage in self-care, take mindfulness breaks, or seek the help of a counselor.
DO
DO wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable.
DO talk about things other than dieting… There is so much more in the world to talk about that does not have to do with food and weight.
DO make plans that do not include food… For example, you could go to a museum, a parks, or a show. Naturally, in the warmer weather, there are ample options of outside activities. If going to a restaurant is triggering and anxiety-producing, know your (temporary) limits; this too shall pass.
DO the opposite… If you feel like avoiding a beach trip with your friends, go! If you feel like skipping dinner, have dinner! It can be challenging to push through the initial anxiety, but the end result will give you confidence that you are capable of engaging in your life, even when you have thoughts telling you otherwise.
DO reflect on your personal growth since last spring… and, disregard the number on the scale. What have you accomplished in the past year that did NOT have to do with your weight and shape?
