Latest research findings on Eating Disorders
According to new large scale research of 600 16 to 25 year olds by the charity BEAT, almost half of young people with eating disorders state bullying as a factor in their condition.
Of those, 91% said they had been bullied, while 46% said they believed that bullying had contributed to their eating disorder.
For further information see our page on Self Harm, BBC Newsbeat and B-eat - Understanding Eating Disorders
What can I do to help myself?
As well as the winter often being a difficult time anyway, with little sun or hours of light, and problems seeming darker than ever, this year may seem even more hard to cope with for many of us in the current ecomonic climate. Those difficulties can affect all parts of our lives. That may include what we eat, our sleeping and getting exercise. When thoughts are going round and round in our heads, worrying us, and seemingly getting us nowhere, often we don't feel hungry and we may snack instead of having healthy meals; or we may find difficulty getting to sleep at night. Sometimes we don't even feel like getting up in the morning! All of these things can have the effect of making us feel worse and even less able to cope. Without a balanced diet and regular sleep our brains do not function as well. Exercise, too, helps to clear our heads and give us more energy.
Although counselling is important, it may also be worth checking on the things below. They may not solve the difficulties but they may help you to cope better.
How we can help ourselves
- Even if you feel low try to eat regular meals.
- If you don't feel hungry, eat smaller amounts of healthy food more often throughout the day and try not to snack on less healthy foods in between meals.
- Try to get out in the fresh air at least once a day.
- If sleeping is a problem and you get overtired, it can become even more difficult to sleep at night. Try a twenty or thirty minute rest during the day to alleviate overtiredness, or more than once a day if you need it. Too long at a time may impede sleep at night, but short rests can help with overtiredness.
- If you can, share your problems with a friend.
- We all need help at times so don't beat yourself up about it if you think you do.
- If you can, find some 'me' time when you can enjoy doing things you like and relax.
- Don't expect too much of yourself, aim for achievable goals.
The above may not make everything better but it may help!
If you would like to talk to someone or receive counselling please call 01732 367660 or email for an appointment.
You can help us too!
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