Here are a few steps you can take to cope as an anorexic.
- Focus on a healthy weight. A healthy weight is the one specified by your physician. Not the weight that is expected by your family or friends.
- Avoid reading websites or literature that celebrates anorexia. Remember that anorexia is a life threatening disease and not a lifestyle choice. It should never be glorified as it has ruins plenty of people’s lives.
- Anorexics often experience a skewed sense of body image. When looking at the mirror, ask yourself, what you think of your body. List down all the things that you like about your body. List down all the things that you don’t like about your body. Be kind to yourself. If you still obsess about your body image, talk to a therapist. They will be able to talk to you and counsel you.
- Look out for triggers or situations that may cause you to go back to your anorexic habits. These may include stressful situations like family gatherings. Your relatives may be always passing off snide comments about your body. List them all down. Then think of a game plan of what you could do when you are faced with those situations. For example, if your relatives commented about your weight, have an excuse ready. Say yes I’ve seen the physician and he said my weight was healthy. So I am not too worried. You need to realize that you can’t please everyone and if you do spend your whole life doing that, it is not a life worth living.
- Finally reward yourself. Take every day as a new challenge. Reward yourself everyday by doing something you enjoy that will make you feel good about yourself. Remember nobody will ever love yourself as much as you. So start today!