Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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Mental Health
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How do you handle eating in front of people?

deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this community and was wondering how some of you handle in eating in public...At the moment the only person I am comfortable eating in front of is my wonderful husband which means we have turned down a lot of dinner invites in the past 6 months because I find it too much...I'm becoming so frustrated that even though I thought I was in control the ED is actually controlling my life...Last night for example I was invited out to dinner with some friends and said yes to the invite "thinking I can do this" only to phone and say I'll meet you guys after dinner for a coffee!! Please if anyone has anyone tips I will gratefully receive them, especially when my hubby and I are going to Fiji in December (and I am absolutely petrified of having to eat in front of someone)...my counsellor say's take one small step at time...
Thank you in advance,
Michelle
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have the same problem. One thing I did ith my counselor that really helped me was to eat in front of her. It was really hard and really embarassing but I did it! I felt so proud of myself after that. Try to eat something that isn't messy like a peanut butter and jelly. Same rules for when you order with your friends. Eating foods that are easy to cut and eat are best.
Slimpics
Slimpics
OMG! I could NEVER eat in front of my psychiatrist... that would be impossible for me! In public though, I end up eating really slowly, and I do a lot of fidgeting with my napkin (dabbing my mouth continually while chewing,) and digging through my purse as a distraction. But you know what? People probably aren't watching us at all, even though it sure as hell feels like it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I know this feeling very well- you don't want them to get the wrong idea about you, or think that you're glutonous, right?

When you order yourself something, get it modified like salad instead of french friends, fruit instead of baked potato. Maybe that can take a little away from your fears. Then, only eat what you can mentally take, and don't overwhelm yourself. You can only do what you can! If your friends try to urge you into trying your friends, say "My counsellour says this is on my meal plan." Typically, they're hush up then.

Hiding your food sounds like an easy plan, but people notice no matter what. They just won't say anything. Be honest with yourself and others, and things may be less scary in the future. Take care of yourself. /hugs And good luck.
deleted_user
deleted_user
This is a really hard one for me. I,like you, am comfortable eating only with my husband and adult kids. I will be starting Lunch groups this week so that all of us in treatment together will learn to eat . My big fears are, will I be able to eat enough, will I mindlessly eat too much and what if I have to purge. (I realize that is part of why we are doing this) together but ED still calls alot of the shots. I say, you are taking small steps coffee instead of dinner then maybe a snack down the road some where. Please don't think you are alone I think this is very common amoung us.
deleted_user
deleted_user
WELL I HATE TO EAT IN PUBLIC FOR TWO REASONS ONE MY EATING DISORDER AND THE SECOND REASON IS OF HOW I LOOK.MY THERAPIST SAYS TO GO ONE STEP AT A TIME.I HOPE THIS HELPS.
deleted_user
deleted_user
well, it's hard 4 me too, but i've noticed that people do not care if i "don't" eat few days, and with hiding food, i'm good last few days, i don't purge or overeat.....
shit :(
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