As the mandatory COVID-19 lockdowns began and the world launched into a temporary shutdown, mental health issues started escalating while the effects of isolation materialized in the form of elevated stress levels, increased anxiety, and mental breakdowns.
Without their daily dose of social interaction, those who were already suffering from eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder struggled while trying to control their uncontrollable urges.
Is Covid-19 Making Eating Disorders Worse?
According to mental health researchers, the current pandemic has had an immense negative impact on the condition of patients who’re suffering from eating disorders. That’s because social isolation has created a triggering environment that lacks structure as well as adequate social support required to stay mentally healthy.
Owing to increasing stress, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, changes in routine, and the diminishing access to regular treatment, the condition of individuals suffering from ED’s has been reported to worsen in numerous cases.
How can you stop eating disorders from intensifying amid the pandemic?
If you’re an ED patient and social isolation is affecting your emotional health, there might be an increase in symptomatology of the eating disorder that you suffer from.
So, it’s important that you:
- Stay in touch with your family, friends, and health consultant through voice and video calls. Doing so can help improve your mood and emotional state, as well as distract you from uncontrollable urges.
- Keep following a proper daily routine. Have your meals on time and stick to your treatment plan as much as possible.
- Self-monitor your behavior and try distraction strategies recommended by your health consultant to keep intrusive thoughts at bay.
- Limit your use of social media.
In case the situation worsens, don’t hesitate to contact your therapist and keep practicing the management methods that you find helpful.