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Taking one day at a time with an eating disorder

Healthwise
By Jeannette Curtis

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People who have an eating disorder often become preoccupied with negative thoughts about themselves. It is often hard for them to think positive thoughts. Although it is impossible to stop all negative thoughts, you can reduce these thoughts with a few simple techniques.

  • Remember that your goal is to feel better with each passing day. Ask someone you trust to remind you of that when you are feeling hopeless.
  • Every day make one positive statement to yourself. For example, say to yourself, “Every day, I am taking better care of myself and my body.”
  • Remind yourself that you can do this. Say to yourself, “I am a capable person.”
  • Daydream about the fun things you are going to do. Daydream about your pet, someone you care about, or a favorite place.
  • Spend time with other people. Get to know them. Do not spend time repeating negative things to yourself.
  • Make a list of your accomplishments, such as things you have recently learned, things you have recently done that were difficult for you, or things you have changed about yourself.
  • Make plans to do something you have been wanting to do, such as visit a new store or see a certain movie.

Credits

Author Jeannette Curtis
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. Stewart Agras, MD - Psychiatry
Last Updated October 4, 2007
Last Updated: 10/04/2007