Support when it comes to healing from an eating disorder is SO important. There are many places that you can receive this support and community, but one very helpful thing for eating disorder warriors is having a support team and a community of other people who understand their struggles. It is SO helpful to have people in your corner who have struggled with what you struggle with and have made it to a healthier place. To have people by your side who can understand what you are feeling and what you are dealing with. Having the support of a therapist and a dietitian can be very helpful as well, and sometimes eating disorder focused therapists and dietitians can be even more helpful. A lot of times the part people are missing when it comes to support though, is the group of eating disorder warriors that have been through the same struggles. Sometimes this is due to the fact that it is still a taboo topic and not many people talk about it, and sometimes it’s due to the lack of resources available. Thankfully more people are starting to talk about these real issues and more resources are becoming available for people who are struggling.
When I was healing from my eating disorder, one of the most helpful things was knowing some other people who had struggled and who were honest and open about their feelings as well. This can be a hard connection to make because not only does it require you being open and honest about your struggles, but also the other person being open and honest as well. However, I believe that it is worth it. It can be a scary thing to be open and reach out for help, but it is SO much better than going through the struggle and healing alone.
If this feels very scary for you, I understand. I wrote a letter the first time I told someone that I was struggling. Reach out in a way that feels safe and doable for you. And if it’s too hard to reach out to someone one on one, it’s okay to start with a therapist, a dietitian, or a group setting! One amazing resource that is available these days are online support groups. A lot of different recovery and eating disorder treatment centers offer free online support groups for people who are struggling. This can be a very helpful resource to start to get some help and start to surround yourself with other people who understand what you’re struggling with. A group setting of support can be a little easier than reaching out to someone you know one on one. This group setting can provide a little comfort in knowing that these people don’t know you in real life and knowing that you can start fresh and build up connections in this way.
No matter how you find your people, know that you are NOT alone in your journey, your struggle, and your healing. There are so many people who understand what you’re struggling with. Please get the support and the community that you need, and if you EVER need help with finding that, reach out.
Abby Horst
A podcaster, wife, health/wellness coach, beach lover, and musician. She specialises in nutrition education, meal planning, and developing sustainable habits. She passionately works with her patients to help them build healthier and happier relationships with food, exercise, and themselves.
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