Liv and Susie are asking questions that relate to many people who restrict. (In response to invitation post) The questions go like this: "How do I change course and start gaining when I am underweight?" "Even if I’m at a weight that’s too low, how can I just maintain instead of losing?" "I’m still losing weight! How can I stop?"  "When will I feel that it is okay to eat?"

An approach to stop restricting I’ll give you an approach you can use to help yourself stop restricting. Then I’ll try to help you understand how it works. But please know, you don’t have to understand how this approach works for it to be effective.

For you quick readers: Be your own doctor. Give yourself the authority to take charge of your health.

Sudden anorexia recovery efforts can be as shocking to the body as well as the mind. Here is one woman’s recovery story presented via our correspondence. She gave me permission to post our dialogue on my blog in hopes that our exchange would help you. (Her name is changed and her city is omitted.)

Hello Joanna, I found your website online and was hoping that you could help me. I struggled in silence with anorexia for eight years.

Coping with the pain and turmoil in a life governed by an eating disorder can tempt you into making to do lists.  You want positive change in your life. Why not just make a list of what you want to change, and follow your own directions in an orderly manner? A "To Do" list can seem like your solution. Can it work, or is it a set up for failure?

Do you know about Sojourner Truth? Perhaps this strong, brave and eloquent woman of the 1800's can inspire you as she did me and millions of others.

Recently a new therapist asked me, "Do you try to get your clients to diminish their bingeing behaviors from the beginning of therapy or do you explore their feelings first? I know there are differing views on this."

When I heard this question, several points of equal value, in my opinion, arrived simultaneously in my mind concerning therapy work with eating disorder patients.  Please understand that these considerations are simultaneous.

My first thought was that I don't try to 'get' my clients to do anything. I want them to heal and develop the capacity to live a fulfilling and satisfying life. But what that means to them and how they specifically accomplish that falls into the realm of their personal values, decision making and evolution.

Experiencing a situation where you are the layoff messenger and must inform a few or hundreds of people that they are losing their jobs can be incredibly challenging and emotionally charged. It's natural to have a mix of conflicting emotions, including survivor guilt, anxiety, compassion, and even relief.

Exploring the emotional weight of announcing a massive job layoff when you are not the decision maker:

Survivor Guilt:

Survivor guilt often arises when you witness others experiencing adversity while you remain in a relatively secure position. In this layoff

                                                            
If you have an eating disorder you may yearn for this kind of peaceful sleep.

Eating Disorders: Impact on Sleep and Vice Versa

Individuals with eating disorders often face significant challenges when it comes to sleep. The bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and sleep disturbances means that both conditions can exacerbate each other, leading to a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break. Understanding the causes and impacts of sleep disturbance in eating disorders is crucial for developing effective strategies to address these issues and support the recovery process.

Anxiety and Stress Affect Sleep and Stimulate Eating Disorders

Food craving: strategies to divert your attention can be as simple as observing nature.

Food cravings can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can try to manage them effectively. Here are some tips:

Recognize the craving:

The first step is to acknowledge that you're experiencing a food craving. Understand that it's a natural response and that craving is temporary.

Identify triggers:

Pay attention to what triggers your craving. It could be stress, certain environments, specific emotions, or even specific foods. Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to avoid or manage them.