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Eating disorders during holidays can be taxing

News Record, The: University of Cincinnati (OH) - 11/30/2015

As many look forward to Christmas cookies and home-cooked meals during winter break, Robyn Cruze, a national recovery advocate for the Eating Recovery Center, enlightened University of Cincinnati students on the struggles of those coping with eating disorders over the holiday season.

"No matter who we are and what we've experienced in our lives, the holidays are always - well, usually - going to have three things involved, and that is family, emotions and food," Cruze said.

This mixture can be very taxing for someone experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder.

According to the Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders' (ANAD) official website, half of teenage girls and one-third of teenage boys have used some sort of unhealthy weight control technique, with 95 percent of people having an eating disorder between the ages of 12 and 25.

ANAD's studies also show that one out of 10 men and women get to experience any kind of treatment, and 35 percent of those who receive treatment go through a specialized facility for eating disorders.

Cruze said she remembers going home for the holidays while experiencing an eating disorder.

"Most of my days during the holidays were spent sleeping all day or trying to find a way to disconnect myself from the family, because I just felt like I was this burden," Cruze said. "I was so wound up in this eating disorder that I was not able to give anything of myself."

Cruze, who has since recovered from her eating disorder, has written two books on the subject. She said the most important thing for a person suffering from the disorder during the holiday is to try hard not to disconnect himself or herself, though she recognized it is difficult.

She explained that, first and foremost, it is important to accept the different stages of recovery. If going through a formal recovery program, Cruze recommended accessing outpatient treatment team for an extra session or two during the holidays and using friends as support.

When around family, Cruze said it is important to allow them their own healing process, as they too have been affected.

"I want to take a moment and acknowledge that the family members are also recovering. They have also suffered," Cruze said. "We come through so much with our family, we have fought this illness tooth and nail and really overcome a lot."

This bond can either unite those in recovery or create even more tension, Cruze said. If tension gets overwhelming, it is important to understand you can ask family for space. Just as you should allow your family their own healing process, they should allow your own, Cruze said.

Cruze reminded those recovering alone that, while changing your relationship with food is a big part of recovery, another huge aspect is mental health. She advised those struggling with the disorder to schedule how long they would be at social events seeking joy and connection with family.

"Recovery is about challenging our old beliefs and making room for a new one," Cruze said.