Coping and support

Living with an eating disorder is especially difficult because you have to deal with food on a daily basis. Here are some tips to help you cope:

• Ease up on yourself. Don't buy into your own self-criticism.
• Identify situations that may trigger destructive eating behavior so you can develop a plan of action to deal with them.
• Look for positive role models who can help lift your self-esteem. Remind yourself that the ultrathin models or actresses showcased in women's magazines often don't represent healthy, realistic bodies.
• Try to find a trusted relative or friend whom you can talk with about what's going on.
• Try to find someone who can be your partner in the battle against binge eating — someone you can call on for support instead of bingeing.
• Find healthy ways to nurture yourself by doing something just for fun or to relax, such as yoga, meditation or simply a walk.
• Consider journaling about your feelings and behaviors. Journaling can make you more aware of your feelings and actions, and how they're related.

Get support

If you have binge-eating disorder, you and your family may find support groups helpful for encouragement, hope and advice on coping. Support group members can understand what you're going through because they've been there themselves. Ask your medical care provider if he or she knows of a group in your area.