Anorexia Nervosa (6)

Self-care

When you have anorexia, it can be difficult to take care of yourself properly. In addition to professional treatment, follow these steps:

· Stick to your treatment plan. Don't skip therapy sessions and try not to stray from meal plans, even if they make you uncomfortable.

· Talk to your doctor about appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements. If you're not eating well, chances are your body isn't getting all of the nutrients it needs.

· Don't isolate yourself from caring family members and friends who want to see you get healthy. Understand that they have your best interests at heart.

· Resist urges to weigh yourself or check yourself in the mirror frequently. These may do nothing but fuel your drive to maintain unhealthy habits.

So how do you cope with a disease that can be deadly when you may be getting messages that being thin is a sign of success?

· Remind yourself what a healthy weight is for your body, especially at times when you see images that may trigger your desire to restrict calories.

· Don't visit pro-anorexia Web sites. These sites can encourage you to maintain dangerous habits and trigger relapses. Anorexia isn't a lifestyle choice. It's a disease, and it's probably controlling your life.

· Acknowledge that you may not be the best judge of whether you're eating enough or are at a healthy weight.

· Identify situations that are likely to trigger thoughts or behavior that may contribute to your anorexia so that you can develop a plan of action to deal with them.

· Look for positive role models, even if they're not easy to find. Remind yourself that the ultra thin models or actors showcased in women's magazines or gossip magazines often don't represent healthy bodies.

· Don't call anorexia your friend. That kind of self-deception can kill you.