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Boundaries: A Necessary Skill in Eating Disorder Recovery
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Director of Content and Social Media at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
Binge eating disorder develops as a result of many complex factors, including several aspects that cannot necessarily be prevented, such as biological influences.
However, environmental stressors do also play an important role in binge eating disorder, and understanding what these factors might be can be helpful in the recovery process.
Seeking Out Comprehensive Help
Without getting hung up on the “whys” of binge eating disorder, it is crucial to understand what is needed for moving forward for recovery and healing. It is also important to understand that binge eating disorder is not something someone willing “chooses” to have, nor is it representative of lack of control. Letting go of the guilt that is often tied in these beliefs is a necessary step toward connecting to treatment for binge eating disorder recovery.
It is also important to find comprehensive help. Given the complexities of binge eating disorder, working with specialists in the eating disorder field can be helpful in improving the prognosis for recovery. In essence, many behaviors, habits, and thought patterns may need to be undone, or challenged, in order to stop the ongoing cycle of binge eating.
Understanding the Emotional Connection
For many individuals, binge eating can be triggered by emotional events, or things that feel outside of one’s scope of control. This can be in relationships, in a job or career, or with various other situations that can become overwhelming or feel uncertain.
L
earning to advocate for oneself and one’s needs are crucial to dealing with the triggers that might be encountered on a daily basis. Sometimes this means saying no to others in order to make self-care a priority or letting go of a toxic relationship in order to get your mental health back on track.
When in recovery from binge eating disorder, it is important to note how every aspect of your life needs attention and care, including your physical and emotional well-being. Work with your therapist and/or counselor to help strengthen your resolve in recovery and learn to establish healthy and appropriate boundaries.
About the Author: Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing. Crystal’s passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her nutrition private practice.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on October 11, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
