Healthy Habits: Eating Disorders and Relapse

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and it's a great time to become more aware of eating disorders in general.

I recently had the chance to interview Bonnie Brennan, MA, LPC, clinical director of the adult partial hospitalization program at Eating Recovery Center, about eating disorders and relapse. The Eating Recovery Center offers four key tips to help avoid relapse: remain actively engaged with the aftercare plan, develop a strong supportive network, identify values and pursue valued life directions, and seek help.

Why is relapse such a major issue for people who have gone into treatment for eating disorders?

Eating disorders recovery is hard work. Individuals who have struggled with disordered eating or body image issues have to develop a healthy relationship with their body and with food. This can be difficult as we need food to survive and although it may cause individuals angst, we cannot simply cut ourselves off from food.

For adolescents and tweens, they are going through puberty and their bodies are change. It is that much more difficult for them to find body acceptance. For parents of teens and tweens, it is important to emphasize that their body shape and size does not define them as a person. Remind these younger individuals that it is what our bodies do for us, not what they look like that is most important.

For individuals who have struggled with an eating disorder, their behaviors were often used as coping mechanisms to deal with changes and stressors in their own lives. Therefore, when in recovery from an eating disorder and something happens that is out of an individual’s control, he or she may tend toward the comfortable, familiar disordered eating behaviors to cope. This is when eating disorders relapse may occur.

Besides the tips given for those who have had an eating disorder, how can their family and friends support them in avoiding relapse?

If you have a friend or loved one who has recently left an eating disorders treatment center, or even has been in recovery for some time, it is always important to watch and look for the warning signs. You can also educate yourself on eating disorders. They are complex mental illnesses that are not “fixed” quickly; it takes time and a commitment to a life of recovery.

Do not be afraid to tell the person that you are concerned. You do not have to solve the problem by any means, but rather extend your concern and worry for some of the behaviors they may be exhibiting. Remember to be specific about your concerns so that your friend or loved one is completely aware.

What are some of the warning signs of a relapse?

Possible eating disorders warning signs extend far beyond an individual restricting his or her food intake or going to the restroom after every meal. Many warning signs can be revealed in how an individual talks or acts about food and his or her own body. Friends or loved ones should watch for an increase in language of eating disorders. Is your friend or loved one talking about his or her body and food more? This could be a potential warning sign.

Another possible warning sign is when someone appears to have an increase in the time they spend worrying about food or “undoing food” (i.e. increasing exercise behaviors or taking a longer time to prepare and plan for a meal). Individuals who may be resorting to eating disorders behaviors often get caught up in the details of food, “What am I going to eat for breakfast tomorrow?” or “How am I going to eat lunch with my meeting at that same time?”

Eating disorders are very isolating diseases. Individuals who struggle with them isolate themselves as well. They do not want their friends or loved ones to know what they are doing and can feel guilty for their behaviors.

Where can people with eating disorders or concerned family and friends go for help?

Eating disorders resources exist for individuals in recovery, friends and loved ones. The National Eating Disorders Association, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, has an entire resources section to find help and support: nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support.

Here in Denver, Eating Recovery Center can do a clinical assessment, free of charge, and recommend an appropriate level of care should an individual be struggling with an eating disorder. Additionally, this treatment center can provide care of men, women, boys and girls of all ages from 10 through adulthood: eatingrecoverycenter.com/eating-disorder-treatment.

Another great resources for friends and family is Something Fishy, a website on eating disorders dedicated to raise awareness and providing support. This website offers an entire section on helping loved ones: something-fishy.org/helping/whatyoucando.php.

It is always a good idea to check with your local state or hometown eating disorders support groups. Here in Denver, The Eating Disorder Foundation has a family and friends support group and other classes in its support center: eatingdisorderfoundation.org/APlaceofOurOwn.htm.