How do I talk about my eating disorder?

Since eating disorders form over time, it is often hard to fully recognize disordered behaviors and changes in your body. Realizing you need help and talking about your eating disorder is one of the hardest steps you can take towards recovery. You may think you can do it on your own, but sharing your struggle and your feelings with someone you trust is essential to healing.

Where do I begin?

It is ok to not know where to begin or what to say. You are taking the most vital step in your recovery journey. 

Below are a few tips to help you as you prepare to take this step in seeking help.

• Set a specific time and place to talk: Ease your mind by internally organizing your conversation, and deciding when and where. Choose a setting that is comfortable to you and that is quiet and calm with no distractions.
• Be honest: There is no right or wrong way to share your story, but try to be honest. Don’t get caught up in why or blame. Explain when you began struggling, what your disordered behaviors are, how it has impacted your everyday life, and why you need to get better. You may feel fearful or angry or even embarrassed, but there is no shame in seeking help. 
• Be informed: Help them to understand your eating disorder. Whether it be anorexia, bulimia, or a different eating disorder, having information on hand will give them a chance to educate themselves and recognize how they can help you. Help them to understand the prevalence of eating disorders, the physical and emotional effects, and the steps needed to help you move forward in your recovery. 
• Be open and understanding to the response: The reaction to your conversation will vary. It is important to prepare yourself for what you are going to say but to also prepare for the emotional toll it might take to be open about our struggle. News of an eating disorder can bring about different emotions – surprise, shock, worry, but sometimes a sense of relief as they may have been concerned, but felt unable to approach you. Remind them that recovery takes time and they will need to patient and understanding.
• Take your time: Recovering from an eating disorder is a gradual process. It does not happen overnight, but it is possible and usually requires professional help. As you talk, discuss treatment options and help them to understand the next step. Begin talking about what you need and what treatment center may provide the best fit. Things to discuss include length of stay, the center’s treatment philosophy, treatment options, location, amenities, and payment options.

The most important thing to remember as you begin to open up about your eating disorder struggle is that you are special and unique. You are taking the next step to heal yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

What is Selah House treatment?

Selah House offers Christ-centered, clinically excellent care for both adolescent girls and adult women. Our women’s eating disorder treatment center focuses on the individual and not the symptoms of an eating disorder. We treat the whole person with therapeutic, psychiatric, medical, and nutritional care that supports women physically, spiritually, and emotionally during eating disorder recovery.

We offer several levels of care, from partial hospitalization to residential treatment, and a step-down process into aftercare. Each level of care is individualized and designed to meet the unique needs of our clients.

• Inpatient care is for clients who need medical stabilization for their eating disorder. Medical and psychiatric support, nursing supervision, and medical management are offered 24/7. Clients participate in therapeutic programming as well. Our professional treatment and medical staff support clients to address any complications resulting from their eating disorder.
• Residential care is designed as a step-down from the inpatient level of care for clients who are medically stable but need a structured, 24-hour treatment environment. Our medical and psychiatric team utilizes evidence-based treatment to help clients process underlying issues to their eating disorders to heal and learn practical skills to support recovery.
• The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is the least intense treatment level, providing clients a safe environment to practice their recovery skills in real-life situations.

At Selah House, we understand the challenge of transitioning back into the outside world after treatment. We provide continued love and support to the client and their loved ones through comprehensive aftercare planning. To ensure there is a connection to a support team at home, we help find therapists and dietitians in the community and remain connected through scheduled phone calls, emails, and post-discharge surveys and offer resources, encouragement, and self-care tips as continued support.

Selah House provides a serene, healing environment to help those suffering from an eating disorder to walk into freedom and restore what matters most in life.

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“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11