Anorexia Triggers- Learn to Manage It

Written by: Shruthi Chacko – M. Sc (Psychology)
Last updated date : March 09, 2023

Are you suffering from an eating disorder? Are you finding it hard to manage your anorexia triggers?. It may feel like the triggers are all around you. It’s everywhere you go. You overhear someone saying: you look good- I think you lost weight? Such triggers are all around you. Read about anorexia in teens in this article.


“Very interesting and relevant” John

72 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use
$9.00 $12.00

25% discount

 

Chapter 1:

What Are Anorexia Triggers?

There are many types of triggers. What can you do now that you’ve been triggered? First of all, congratulations on yourself.   You’re no longer in denial of your Anorexia. You’ve become self aware. In fact, you have learned to understand your triggers. Also, now you can recognise how they affect your food and body image (again).

Although it’s frustrating to be triggered in the later phases of recovery, it is natural and normal. And, to be honest, you can expect it. Many of us do not make it all through recovery without seeing at least one relapse. Whether it is due to food, family,or offensive comments from others. The key is to be aware and accept what is going on. Have your support system to lean onto and the rest will fall into place.

Chapter 2:

Here Are Few Gentle Reminders

Give Yourself Some Break
It does get hard to accept it is really happening. But, you got to give yourself some break. It is okay. It is normal to feel like this. Stop blaming yourself for the anorexia triggers. You are trying your best to beat the triggers. Sometimes, you may get a relapse and that is okay. There is no point being hard on yourself. You have tried your best to stop it. Try not be so judgmental when it comes to you. Also, don’t be so harsh on yourself.

Chapter 3:

Remind Yourself of Your Coping Skills

They were made for situations like these. Here are a few examples:
  • Food is my cure
  • My health is my first priority.
  • I am strong, and I can handle this
  • Taking time to honour my body’s demands is also honouring my soul.

How to manage your anorexia triggers? It is often easier to decide what to do than it is to achieve it. Today, I’m going to do activities that will help my recovery.Do you find journaling helpful? Art? Exercise? Getting along with friends? Carry it out. Those tools were created not only for the initial stages of rehabilitation. But, for any time you face a challenge.

Chapter 4:

Talk To Your Health Care Professional

How to manage your anorexia triggers? Sometimes all you need is someone who understands your medical history to whip you back into shape. Whether your physician is kind and compassionate. Perhaps even reasonable or have a balanced mix of the two. They will have the greatest strategy for helping you in getting back on track mentally.

Chapter 5:

Don’t Go Back To Your Old Patterns- Anorexia triggers

Sometimes, you may have a tendency to go back to old eating patterns. This mostly happens when you are stressed. For some it could be emotional eating. In fact, some people find it comforting to restrict their eating habits. It is important to be aware that food does not manage those negative feelings and thoughts. Also, at the moment it may make you feel better. But, in reality it causing much more damage than you can imagine.

Chapter 6:

Make A Plan To Battle The Anorexia Triggers

How to manage your anorexia triggers? How to manage anorexia in teens? Triggers are unavoidable. But, having a plan can be helpful. Mindfulness is a meditation technique in which you stay on the present moment. Additionally, you avoid being overly sensitive to what’s going on around you. Why is mindfulness helpful?  It can stop unhelpful behaviours by preventing you from reacting on trigger-related stress.

According to Mayo Clinic. These can be helpful

  • Pay attention to what you’re seeing, he
  • Haring, experiencing, smelling, or tasting in the current moment.
  • Pay attention to the breath as it goes in and out of your body. You also can sit down and shut your eyes while doing this.
  • Be kind. Accept who you are and love yourself like you would a good friend.

Chapter 7:

Get Away From The Toxic Diet Culture

How to manage anorexia in teens? It’s practically hard to avoid the ongoing weight loss advertising that occurs in our society. Whether you’re scrolling down Instagram and stumble across postings about low-calorie meals. Perhaps ,  you see a bus with a big, diet-related ad on it. Hence, being able to spot and understand toxic eating culture is your greatest tool for preventing a negative consequence when having a trigger.

Chapter 8:

Self Care Is Key- Anorexia triggers

Consider how you might be compassionate to yourself today instead of go back to an unhealthy coping strategy. Instead, taking a warm bath, drinking a cup of green tea, reading an interesting book. Maybe, watching a funny film, mediating. Also, maybe even sitting outside on a bright day. Journaling, writing your gratitude journal, and anything which makes you feel comfortable are all examples of self-care. Working towards recovery from an eating disorder requires strength, courage, and dedication. You need to take a moment to appreciate yourself for all of your efforts.

Chapter 9:

You Can Forgive Yourself

Don’t punish yourself. Try not to beat yourself up about being triggered. It is okay. In fact, it happens and the fact that you have relapsed itself is a great thing. The triggers are a normal part of the recovery journey. Instead, try to forgive yourself and take it slow. You are trying your best. Eventually, you will learn to get past the anorexia triggers.

Chapter 10:

Have A Support System Around You

How to manage anorexia in teens? When you are getting triggered, it is a good moment to call somebody in your support network. In fact, nobody should have to fight an eating disorder alone. Speaking out to somebody when you are feel particularly vulnerable may help to alleviate feelings of humiliation and isolation. When you are feeling triggered, making an appointment with your therapist or  nutritionist . Perhaps, even talking to a friend, friend or relative, significant other, or mentor, could be quite helpful.

As a result, it can be good to talk with this person what they’ll do to help you. Whether it’s simply listening to you. Maybe, engaging in a fun activity to occupy you. Also, even or helping you in developing an alternative coping skill.

At Epsychonline, we have a self help course on ” Body Image Concerns” to know more about anorexia in teens. You may also be interested to read up more on ” How to Overcome Anorexia- Treatment Plans” and ” Dangers Of Anorexia And Minimizing Them” to learn more about anorexia triggers.


"Very interesting and relevant" John

72 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use

$9.00 $12.00

25% discount