Recovery Resources
Books: Books can offer perspective, share the stories of people similar to you, and help give insight into your disorder. I have found that Aimee Liu’s books are amazing; they give a new perspective and tons of insight. I also really liked Going Hungry by Kate M Taylor. However, if you’re easily “triggered” by numbers or descriptions of behaviors, I’d recommend that you not read either of those books. Many people like Life without Ed by Jenni Schaefer (I never got past the idea of “Ed”, but I mention it in the hopes that it helps someone).
Geneen Roth doesn’t write exclusively about eating disorders but she does have a lot of valuable things to say about eating behaviors and how they connect to people psychologically. Sometimes her books seem corny and a bit idealistic, but if you can get past that, she has some really valuable stuff to say. I haven’t read all of her books yet, but I’ve heard that they’re all as wonderful as the one I’m reading. She talks a lot about intuitive eating, the connection between food and mind, making peace with your body and yourself, and self-awareness.
Websites: Something Fishy (http://www.something-fishy.org/) is my favorite informational website about eating disorders. You can also check out letsrecovertogether.tumblr.com where I am an admin.
Therapist: Therapy is especially helpful for those who are willing to talk openly and can help to provide experienced advice as well as a rational perspective. Don’t be afraid to switch therapists if therapy doesn’t feel like a helpful and supportive to you. Each therapist approaches therapy differently, and different approaches work for different people.
Family therapy: Family therapy can serve many purposes: it can help communication between family members, help families to understand what you’re going through, and help to work through general family issues.
Support groups: Support groups have been one of the things that have helped me the most in my recovery. Getting advice, support and encouragement from people who are going through the same thing is much more valuable (to me) than getting it from people who have never experienced what you’re going through. It has helped me to feel less isolated and to make connections with people. However, support groups can also turn into a subtly competitive atmosphere, so if that’s happening, leave. If you don’t know of support groups in your area, check out the EDA website at http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org/. Another local resource may be a NEDA Navigator found here: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/programs-events/neda-navigators.php
Dietician: A good dietician can be very helpful in recovery, but just like a therapist, you have to find a dietician who fits your needs. I’ve seen four different dieticians (and that’s not including the ones I’ve seen inpatient) but it wasn’t until I met my current dietician that I felt like seeing a dietician helped me. I recommend that you find a dietician who specializes in eating disorders and is an RD (dieticians have more training than nutritionists). Don’t quit or decide that it isn’t “working” after only a few visits. A dietician can pressure you to push yourself to your limits with food and eating, help you set goals, give strategies to deal with food, and create balanced meal plans. A dietician can also simply help to keep you on track and give encouragement when you really need it.
Friends and Family: If you think that they can be a support, let them help you. Ask them for help and support. If they don’t get it (and they probably won’t) you can give them some books to read or websites to go to, or if a family support group is available, you can go with them. If you have a hard time communicating about it, try writing them a letter about it (communicating through a letter is better than not communicating at all). Talking about it helps.
Hobbies: You need something to be passionate about and remind you of all of the things that you can do and what you can be without your eating disorder. As long as you still have time to take a breath and examine your recovery, hobbies are great. Some people find that their eating disorder becomes their life and without it, they don’t know what to do with themselves. If you’re lost, try artwork, photography, theater, crocheting/knitting, journaling, music, writing, reading, yoga or involving yourself in groups at school.
Treatment Programs: They’re not a cure-all. They won’t work unless you do. They can’t save you from yourself; you have to do that. They can make you gain weight and keep you medically stable – they’re really good at that, but they can’t heal your mind in the same way that they heal your body. They can help you to move forward mentally and give you tons of support in doing that, but you have to commit yourself to recovery first. I’ve been inpatient twice (once at a hospital, once at Renfrew) and to a partial program once. I’ve learned that it’s your commitment to recovery that matters the most in the success of the program. If you do decide to go to a program, choose one that specializes in eating disorders, and if possible, choose inpatients and residential programs over hospitals.
