Coronavirus pandemic is hard on those with eating disorders. Here are tips to help
For a lot of people dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, being stuck indoors while practicing safe social distancing can be irritating and have us counting the days until we can meet up with our friends at a local restaurant without worrying about catching or spreading the virus. But for those who have eating disorders, dealing with the pandemic on top of that can be downright terrifying and lonely.
“Any time you have anxiety or mood systems are increased — the eating disorder tendency is increased, too,” says Allison Chase, the director of the Eating Recovery Center in Austin, Texas, as reported by KVUE. “There is nothing more anxiety-provoking than what is happening right now with COVID-19 and quarantine, so you can expect you are going to be struggling with a number of different triggers. Triggers that they tend to go towards or engage in like restricting of food, binging or purging of food as well. So whatever becomes that go-to response is something we are going to see more of.”
The British Journal of Psychiatry says that “anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of all mental illnesses and studies have shown that those with eating disorders are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression,” according to TIME Magazine.
Here are some tips to help according to experts:
Seek out professional resources for help
Chase suggests that if you or someone in your family is struggling with an eating disorder during the pandemic, you should reach out to professionals to lend a helping hand.
“One of the most helpful things is to seek out professional resources and help,” Chase tells KVUE. “You know, family and friends, we care so much – all we want to do is help them and we often don’t have the training for that.”
The National Eating Disorders Association operates a helpline at 1-800-931-2237 that can help if you are struggling with disordered eating or know someone who needs help.
Keep a structured schedule
Chase suggests keeping a structured schedule while working can keep those in recovery on track, especially since working from home has disrupted normal routines.
“You just want to be more mindful – I think that’s what it comes down to – is being more mindful about what is in their best interest at the time,” Chase told KVUE.
The Emily Program, an organization that specializes in helping those with eating disorders, suggests planning out everything in detail.
“Plan times to eat and work and rest,” a blog says. “Write down these plans; make sure you see them. Set them as your phone wallpaper, or tack a copy beside each clock in your home. Stick to them.
Set alarms for your meal and snack times. Have ready your activities for before and afterward.”
Be vocal about your feelings
The Emily Program says that if you’re struggling, it’s best to voice those words out loud to yourself or to those loved ones you have around you while in quarantine.
“If your eating disorder feels silly, insignificant, or selfish in the wake of the coronavirus, you can say that,” their blog says. “If you’re afraid the crisis will ruin the progress you’ve made in recovery, say that. If you’re hurt or annoyed by jokes about quarantine binges ... or convinced you should ‘save’ food for the uncertain future ... or, frankly, more worried about weight gain than about contracting the virus itself ... say these things.”
Aim for ‘C-Level’ work
During this time of crisis, professionals say that “perfectionism in recovery is never helpful” so aim for “c-level work.”
“C-level work means, yes, stocking up on nutritional shakes if those are helpful in keeping yourself alive right now,” Healthline says. “It might mean calling on others to grocery shop for us if we feel stuck. It means settling for ‘good enough’ when our ED[eating disorder] brains are telling us it’s not.”
Listen to your body
Professionals say that your body knows what it needs, especially during hard times like this.
“The stress is literally palpable and unavoidable,” Healthline says. “So if you find yourself craving certain foods right now? That’s your body seeking out richer energy sources to do its job. If you do end up gaining weight? That’s your body adapting to protect you, should you get sick and be unable to properly nourish yourself later on.”