FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Recovery Club

tw: Eating disorder

outlanderSenior Contributor

tw: Eating disorder

Hi everyone

i suffer from an eating disorder and im getting better at managing my emotions and thoughts around food but im having a major challange and wonder if anyone else could provide some advice.

i have to have alot of medical procedures which usually involves requiring support workers here and there and often overnight for some things.

2 things i really struggle with is

1- discussion around food/drink in any form that includes just being asked what i feel like to eat or what my likes/dislikes are

2- eating in front of people in most respects

Im just wondering if there are some suggestions on ways to approach this with support workers when im required to have some care and they ask what i feel like for dinner etc? i find the whole topic incredibly uncomfortable but im not to sure how to approach it because even the thought of mentioning to them that i have an eating disorder or talking about meals is quite hard and triggering for me.

would anyone be able to provide some advice on how i might communicate my needs without being triggerred all the time?

i am working on this with a psychologist but my current one is away at the moment and i wont have a chance to communicate before my next procedure that ill need support with which will mention food, cooking etc

11 replies

1 - 10 of 11
12

In response to: tw: Eating disorder

Captain24Senior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

Hey @outlander

Would writing it down be easier for you?

Maybe just that the talk of food makes you uncomfortable without going into to much detail?

sorry. That’s all I got

In response to: tw: Eating disorder

AsgardSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

Hi @outlander

Nice to meet you. Been thinking about your issue and the only thing that comes to mind, is if you have already decided what you want to eat, just to state it out loud.

Could you take your support worker into your confidence and just tell them that talking about food does your head in,

Regarding eating in front of others have you tried CBT, it trains you in new ways to react to this situation, it is very helpful I have found. I used to be very socially awkward and CBT has trained me to think of social situations in new ways which are less stressful. Give it a go, nothing ventured nothing gained...........Asgard

In response to: Re: tw: Eating disorder

outlanderSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

hey @Captain24
i think maybe writing it down for the company to notify staff might be helpful so i dont have to have the conversation with each of them so that could work.

In response to: Re: tw: Eating disorder

outlanderSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

hi @Asgard
nice to meet you

Ive got a couple of different support workers depending on whose avaliable etc but i think emailing the company just to explain might be helpful as talking outloud sends me into a spin.

maybe a small list of menu items would help instead of them asking what i feel like i can just give them the safe go to meals so they dont have to ask as whatever is on the safe list i will generally have at any time without any issues unless im feeling sick

i have a psychologist who is helping me but its slow because even talking about it with her makes me feel very awkward even though eating really is a necessity and a normal part of life but it is one thing that makes me uncomfortable

In response to: Re: tw: Eating disorder

BowSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

I think what you have replied to @Asgard here @outlander is a pretty good approach to take. Always trying to communicate, if written is easier, is going to be your best friend. They can’t help if they don’t know.

do you need to be watched while eating? Like is that an issue? Not finishing food?

good luck!

In response to: tw: Eating disorder

Owlunar2Senior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

Hi @outlander

I don't have an eating disorder still I don't like discussing my diet with anyone else - and I prefer to eat only my own cooking - so I get what you are saying - I understand

Emailing your agency and telling them this is a good idea - if you are uncomfortable talking about food - that's okay - and pretty normal imo - but yes - it makes you feel icky so don't.

You do have a lot happening in your life - it's a lot to cope with - I wish you the best and think you are pretty okay and cope well with your situation.

It's not easy though

All best and feel okay with yourself

Owlunar

In response to: Re: tw: Eating disorder

outlanderSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

I dont need to be watched or anything like that @Bow just reminded.
its actually just being in the presence of someone else ie going out to a cafe for lunch or just watching a movie while having dinner. They are normal things for most people and because after treatments im usually required to have care afterwards for a min 24 hours it usually will involve having lunch out or the support staff cooking dinner and having dinner with me while watching a movie etc.

In response to: Re: tw: Eating disorder

outlanderSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

@Owlunar2
thank you. yes food and talk surrounding that makes me feel uncomfortable even though someone asking what id like for dinner etc is a normal thing because i do the same to my own clients but it still is hard for me to do

In response to: Re: tw: Eating disorder

AsgardSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

Hi @outlander

Emailing menus sounds like a great idea, maybe you could call each different meal by a number, so you could say I'll have number 3 please today. Just thinking that you could do that with everything with food, instead of the name see it as a group of numbers, looking at it from a slightly wierd perspective. Anyways let us know how you are doing...........Asgard

In response to: Re: tw: Eating disorder

outlanderSenior Contributor

Re: tw: Eating disorder

thank you @Asgard that sounds like a good idea
1 - 10 of 11
12

SANE Forums is published by SANE with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.

SANE Forums does not provide crisis support.
If you need immediate assistance, please see available crisis services.

Learn more about SANE and SANE services at sane.org

Back to top
SANE logo
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care NSQDMH Accreditation logo

Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.

Donate Now
Aboriginal flag
Torres Strait Islander flag
LGBT flag
Transgender flag

SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

Back to top
SANE logo
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care NSQDMH Accreditation logo

Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.

Donate Now
Aboriginal flag
Torres Strait Islander flag
LGBT flag
Transgender flag

SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

SANE is a public company limited by guarantee and registered tax-exempt charity with DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status.

Charity ABN 92 006 533 606. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. SANE, PO Box 1226, Carlton VIC 3053.