MyApp: My Mental Health
Anorexia nervosa, one of the most common eating disorders, is normally about:
- restricting what you eat;
- significant weight loss and/or low body weight for your age, sex and development;
- having an intense fear of gaining weight, being fat or becoming fat;
- using behaviour that interferes with weight gain, such as exercising too much;
- there is usually a disturbance in the way in which body weight or shape is experienced;
- and/or body weight or shape having too much influence over how you see yourself.
People with anorexia nervosa often struggle to accept the seriousness of their condition.
People with eating disorders can experience:
- Dramatic personality and/or mood changes,
- Tiredness,
- Apathy,
- Social withdrawal.
Behavioural changes may include:
- Wearing baggy clothes or clothes inappropriate for the weather.
- Refusing foods previously liked.
- Cutting food into very small pieces.
- Extreme preoccupation with food, weight and shape.
Eating disorders can have serious medical consequences including:
- Growth problems,
- Heart problems,
- Gastric (stomach) problems, dental problems,
- Loss of menstrual periods,
- In some cases it can lead to death.
Developing healthy coping skills can help towards getting over an eating disorder. The ideas below are just some alternatives to unhealthy eating disorder behaviours.
Talk to someone. This could be a family member, friend or teacher. Start somewhere. Whomever you feel comfortable with. Let them know how you feel. Eating disorders are very difficult to overcome on your own.
When you are feeling upset, try distraction activities such as drawing or painting, writing in a journal, or watching a favourite film.
Notice the way you speak to yourself about your body, food, and behaviour. Begin to add positive statements, letting go of the negative statements. Don’t blame yourself.
Make a list of positive statements you can make about yourself. Pick one and say it daily for a week.
Identify three things (no matter how small) you are looking forward to each day – these must not be related to food or unhealthy behaviours.
Try relaxation activities such as meditation, mindfulness, or deep breathing. There are many apps available to help you with these activities, such as: 
Avoid conversations about food, dieting, weight, or body image. Change the subject or make an excuse to leave.
Avoid ‘triggering’ social media content. This could include pro-eating disorder content, or influencers and other celebrities who promote unhealthy and unrealistic ideals.
Discuss interesting or funny things that happened during your day, or hobbies, movies, friends, or places to visit.
Try some distracting activities at the table such as trivia questions, puzzles, or quizzes. Distractions such as the radio or music may also help.
Try to do a family activity after the meal, such as a board game or watching TV.
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