Supporting yourself when the ED gets sneaky

Author: Breanna Mills R.D.

There may be certain moments in your recovery where the eating disorder can sense that its grasp is loosening on your life, and it may start to feel threatened. As a result, you might notice the eating disorder will start changing how it shows up and start becoming sneakier. How can you support yourself when you notice the eating disorder getting sneaky?

Accountability

Accountability can come in a lot of different forms and look a lot of different ways. It could be relying on external/tangible accountability steps such as setting alarms or timers, check-ins, checklists, photos or setting up meal support with someone. Another option could be looking for online resources to help support you. There are a lot of other options for how accountability could look and there is no “right” way, just whatever works best for you.

Be open with your support system

Being as open and honest as you can with those around you, such as your support system or your team can be very helpful to support you when the eating disorder gets sneaky. It is also important to be honest with yourself around the ways that the eating disorder may be trying to twist something on you. Being honest can help those around you to support you in the best way possible.

Challenge the eating disorder voice

We often find that as the eating disorder gets sneakier, it can show up with a sort of “compassionate” voice, whose goal is to get you to listen to the eating disorder but under the guise that you are being compassionate towards yourself. An example of what this could sound like is “eating something is better than nothing.” This could be true, and this could also be a way that the eating disorder is trying to mask eating disorder behaviours. This can make it appear as though you are following through with recovery actions. The eating disorder voice can often change its tactics, so it is helpful to continue to challenge that voice.

These are some ideas of what could be helpful to support yourself when the eating disorder gets sneaky.