During the Christmas season, folks look out for connecting with family members, enjoy eating magnificent food and meals, and perceive the sights and sounds of celebrations with family and friends. However, it has been recorded that approximately 25 million people all over America suffer from an eating disorder, no doubt, this can be a hectic experience for them.
Holiday: Amplifying Anxiety For People Suffering From Eating Disorder
Considering the Covid time period, there was a tremendous difference in observed eating disorders, particularly within and between the young generations. It has been stated by people they were indeed anxious for weeks regarding coming home for Christmas and thanksgiving. Several have stated that the difficulties they had seen in seeking therapy over the last year have contributed to their worry.
It is clearly stated by Kari Anderson, who specialised in eating disorders that everyone wishes to be in a positive mindset. Throughout essence, since May 2020, every third American has experienced symptoms of clinical anxiety or stress.
Moreover, she continued that when persons with restrictive disorders or those who have developed behaviors connected with them do not even eat, they feel so much better. There are indeed individuals who believe that excess eating makes them happier, particularly when eating extremely delicious meals.
The holidays provide particular problems irrespective of how an individual’s eating disorder manifests. Furthermore, medical facilities and sometimes even eating disorder centers have been swamped by an explosion of new cases, making it harder to seek care at a time when things are already challenging.
During the Covid-19 outbreak, isolation and loneliness may have nurtured great anxiety regarding being among others. Individuals who gained weight as a result of laziness are experiencing body confidence difficulties due to body image issues.
According to Lindsey Wawrzyniak, a student of Arizona State University and working as an eating disorder recovery advocate after suffering from her own recovery journey. She added that there is a lot of conversation everywhere around holidays about calorie counting, self-image, and curriculum meals, which could also undoubtedly provoke some thoughts and potentially trigger you to really want to be involved in certain deleterious old thoughts and habits.
Dr. Srinivas Dannaram who is a psychiatrist at Banner Behavioral Health says that many persons with eating disorders have reached a new level as a result of the Covid outbreak, even though most of their actions have gone undetected, notably among those who stay and used to live on their own and alone. They’ve built a new foundation and are satisfied or quasi with the routines and activities they’ve set.
He went on to say that when persons with eating disorders are forced to encounter other people, particularly after a lengthy period of time, they are preoccupied with how others would see their bodies.
They get to be hypersensitive and may perceive judgment even when none exists. They are concerned about how people may react to their appearance. These individuals have a unique place in the hearts of those who suffer from eating disorders, which could also develop phobias.
Anderson inquired at this point that when it comes to holiday festivities and customs, people with eating disorders typically refuse to eat especially in public, which may be problematic. They feel embarrassed when it comes to sharing foods with each other, despite whether they are eating normally at this time.
Whereas the festive seasons can be stressful for anyone with eating problems, Dannaram and Anderson say that obtaining professional care since the last holidays can assist.
Honest conversations with others around you, incredibly sensitive friends, and family, according to Wawrzyniak, might be beneficial.
She added that while you’re in therapy, getting someone around you and telling you that you really can communicate and vent to them may be incredibly helpful.
Regardless of whether a person is acknowledged to have an unhealthy relationship with food, it is critical not to participate in inappropriate body discussion, particularly about weight, because many people suffer in secret, according to the therapists.
Family members may be beneficial in the therapy of eating disorders, according to Dannaram, provided the person suffering from the disease is ready to get them in their treatment.
