Anorexia nervosa is widely recognised as being a highly complex condition which often requires lengthy treatment and has the highest mortality rate of all forms of psychiatric illness. As a result of associated symptoms, anorexia sufferers commonly isolate themselves and this withdrawal from an otherwise helpful support network only serves to keep the eating disorder cycle going round.
Anorexia Recovery and Coping with Holidays
As any sufferer or eating disorder health professional knows only too well, anorexia recovery requires enormous determination and motivation at the best of times let alone when faced with the changes in environment on holiday. There are several practical ways that may help recovering anorexics to cope better with holiday situations including:
- planning a daily structure
- adapting the menu plan
- self-catering accommodation
- bringing snacks/safe foods
Structure for Anorexia Sufferers
Most sufferers of anorexia, as well as those with other eating disorders such as bulimia, find that having a structure to each day helps with the fear of losing control. Especially on holiday where everything is usually so different to one's normal daily life, having a structure can help to make things feel safer and reduce anxiety levels. Key suggestions in terms of maintaining structure include trying to eat at the same time as at home and exercising as well as sleeping and getting up at familiar times.
Menu Plan and Anorexia Recovery
The menu plan is such as core part of recovery from anorexia that it is crucial that eating disorder sufferers don't view going on holiday as an opportunity to have a break from this recovery tool. However, it is definitely worth meeting with one's nutritionist prior to a holiday to discuss any ways in which the menu plan may be adapted, especially in the case of jet lag where meal times, sleep patterns will all be significantly different.
Eating Disorder Recovery and Self-Catering Holidays
Particularly in the case of anorexia sufferers who are in relatively early stages of their recovery, self-catering can be an absolute life-saver. This makes eating far less stressful than having to cope with meals in a crowded restaurant. Also, it is much easier to stick to the menu plan if the same or similar items are chosen from the supermarket as opposed to having to guess the calorie content of each meal.
Holiday Snacks and Anorexia Recovery
In order to keep some familiarity on holiday, especially when there is not the option of staying in self-catering accommodation, bringing snacks alone can be a big help. This means that there is no need to worry about pre-planning where one will be at usual snack times and then even if main meals have to be different at least the snacks will be something one is comfortable with and not an additional challenge.
As highlighted above, self-catering holidays for those in recovery from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia may be the easiest option as this is usually less stressful. In addition, planning ahead for possible menu plan changes with a specialised nutritionist is often helpful and bringing snacks from home means that there is no need to worry about having to find suitable alternatives abroad.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
Join the Conversation