http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/binge-eating-disorder/DS00608/DSECTION=coping%2Dand%2Dsupport When living with an eating disorder you may face an especially difficult struggle to cope, since food is essential to survival. There's no avoiding it - you have to deal with food on a daily basis. Having an eating disorder and being overweight is a double whammy. So how do you cope with a serious condition that may also subject you to ridicule and scorn?
- Ease up on yourself. Don't buy into your own self-criticism.
- Identify situations that are likely to trigger thoughts or behavior that may contribute to eating binges so that you can develop a plan of action to deal with them.
- Look for positive role models who can help lift your self-esteem, even if they're not easy to find. Remind yourself that the ultrathin models or actresses showcased in women's magazines or gossip magazines often don't represent healthy, realistic bodies.
- If you're hiding your eating disorder from loved ones, try to find a trusted confidante you can talk to about what's going on. Together, you may be able to come up with some treatment options.
- Try to find someone who can be your partner in the battle against binge eating - someone you can call on for support instead of bingeing.
- Find healthy ways to nurture yourself by doing something just for fun or to relax, such as yoga, photography, meditation or simply a walk.
- Consider journaling about your feelings and behaviors. Journaling can make you more aware of your feelings and actions, and how they're intertwined.