How to deal with an eating disorder during the holidays

At least 1.25 million people in the UK are struggling with an eating disorder at any given time.

And Christmas can be a particularly exciting time for those who have a difficult relationship with food.

Despite stereotypes and tropes, eating disorders can affect anyone of any age, race, gender, sexuality, or background.

In fact, the NHS estimates that one in six adults are at risk of developing an eating disorder and the vast majority of people with an eating disorder are of ‘normal’ weight.

At this time of year, it’s important to be considerate of others as well as your own mental health.

Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, a leading eating disorder charity, says: “The holiday season can be extremely difficult for people with eating disorders of all kinds.

“There is a lot of emphasis on food, and the pressure to eat large amounts can be a trigger for people with binge eating disorder and bulimia, but it can also cause anxiety in people with anorexia.

“People with eating disorders often try to hide their illness, and at Christmas, when eating is a social occasion – often with people they don’t see often – they may feel embarrassed and want to isolate themselves from others.

“At the same time, Christmas can be a source of grief for families caring for someone with an eating disorder.”

How do you take care of yourself this time of year?

It’s important to plan ahead and talk openly about when and how food will be handled during the holiday season so you know what to expect and don’t have to make decisions on the spot.

Tom says preparation is key here.

“If you feel like it, have a ‘practice meal’ with a loved one you trust and think about how you feel before, during, and after,” he says.

“You can discreetly place a plate when you need support and encouragement, at a meal or in company.”

It can help divert attention from eating, so look for activities after eating that focus on something else, such as reading. Take a family walk, play board games or watch a fun movie together.

Planning this allows you to look forward to it and balance difficult emotions.

“If you’re caring for a loved one who’s sick, you can speak calmly to visitors before they arrive, with well-meaning comments like ‘Aren’t you pretty?’ be well-intentioned. or “Didn’t you eat well?” can be misinterpreted and do more harm than good,” he adds.

How can you recover if this time triggers you anyway?

Tom says: “If you start to recognize thoughts or behaviors related to an eating disorder, or think you are at risk of a recurrence, contact your GP or healthcare team as soon as possible.

“Once you’re comfortable with that, it can also be helpful to talk to your support network, such as trusted friends or family members, about what you’re going through.”

Tom emphasizes that recovery is possible – even if you relapse.