How are these things affecting your life? How would you like them to change? You may also become obsessed with probiotics, supplements, or herbs or spend unreasonable amounts of time on food preparation. Consider if the people close to you have expressed concern about your fixations or refer to you as “obsessed. "
Invite people over to your home for dinner. Do activities that do not revolve around food. As you work through treatment, begin to join your friends for events around food. Think about if your friends have not been inviting you to activities they normally would. This could be because you lecture them about food choices or try to control activities so that your eating habits always come first.
If your exercise is hurting your body and not helping it, work with a physician to find what limits to follow and what intensity to use. A major warning sign is if you have been tempted to disregard your physician’s limitations or resume working out again before you are medically cleared to do so after an injury.
For example, if you’ve only eaten fruit for several months, you may lack nutrients that support your body found in vegetables, oils, and proteins. A blood test can help you work toward replenishing your deficiencies.
Be cautious about people who refer to themselves as “nutritionists. " This term is largely unregulated in the United States, meaning that anyone can use it without any qualifications. Often these people are trying to sell you something or council you into further unhealthy food fixations. Registered dietitians have met certain educational and licensure requirements. Make regular appointments with a dietician and keep track of the progress you are making. You may notice that with time you feel better with changes to your diet.
You don’t need to jump headfirst into eating sweets, processed foods, or junk foods. Start slowly, and build up to a level that feels comfortable and is still healthy. Consult with your dietician or physician regarding what foods you may need. You may have some deficiencies that need immediate attention. Try to get your mental health professional and your dietitian to coordinate care so you can strike an appropriate and sustainable balance in your diet.
Remind yourself that foods are okay in moderation and that it’s okay to enjoy food.
Begin to listen to your body’s cues and get more in touch with what your body wants. Talking it through with a significant other or trusted family member or friend can help you start to process and identify your body’s cues. Journaling may also be helpful.
Ask your insurance provider, general practitioner, or local mental health clinic for a referral to a therapist. You can also ask friends and family for a recommendation.
To find a psychiatrist, call your insurance provider or local mental health clinic. You can also speak with your physician about obtaining a referral.
If you feel guilty after an unhealthy decision, accept your decision and move on. Forgive yourself and remember that your one ‘bad’ choice doesn’t define you, your self-worth, or your identity. Ask a trusted friend or family member to sit with you while you eat and visit with you afterwards, until the guilt dissipates. This can be an effective distraction technique to help you return to more normal eating.
Instead of ignoring or avoiding your problems, begin to tackle them one by one. Work with a therapist to help you. Take a look at any other ways you might be self-medicating, as your trouble may not be limited to food and diet. Think about if you’ve had obsessions about different things in the past. It is common for addictions to shift over a lifetime. Ask trusted friends or family for their own perspective on your situation.
