06/22/2012 (press release: FrankieCervantes) // Denver, Colorado, United States // Frankie Cervantes
Summertime marks the beginning of change in the weather as well as a change in one’s daily lifestyle, including diet and clothing apparel.
There is the physical exposure to the body that makes people feel more vulnerable, however it’s also the emotional and mental vulnerabilities of the eating disorder sufferer that make the summer season one of the toughest for them to deal with.
“There’s often an increase of patients we treat during the warmer months,” says Tamara Pryor, clinical director of The Eating Disorder Center of Denver. “Summer is the season when people show their body and there is less opportunity and desire to cover-up, people can feel more exposed.”
People who suffer from eating disorders tend to self-isolate and generally stay away from social gatherings as much as possible, however this becomes more difficult in the summer when most people are outside enjoying the warm weather. The pressure of having to attend social events and expose more of their body becomes overwhelming for eating disorder suffers, which often leads to the exacerbation of the disease or possibly even a relapse if they are in recovery.
Here are a few ways to combat the difficulties of summer for those who suffer from an eating disorder or even those who merely suffer from poor body image:
Prepare for stress
Limit the amount of stress and anxiety by preparing for specific events or situations will help keep life more predictable and manageable preventing unnecessary emotional triggers.
Get lots of rest
Get plenty of sleep because lack of sufficient rest can alter hormone levels in the body, which tend to have adverse effects on emotional and mental health.
Stay active and get outdoors
Dr. Pryor suggests, “Rather than being inside and isolating with negative self-talk, take time to get out and enjoy the outdoors to feel good in your body. Shift your experience to what you are enjoying outside and appreciating how your body serves you versus how your body looks.”
Throughout the year EDCD offers treatment options, including partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient care, nutritional counseling, outpatient therapy and evening treatment programs.
About Eating Disorder Center of Denver
Established in 2001, Eating Disorder Center of Denver (EDCD) is one of the nation’s foremost centers for the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of eating disorders. EDCD is committed to empowering individuals 18 years of age and older suffering with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and related disorders to help them achieve and sustain recovery. A multidisciplinary team of board-certified psychiatrists, physicians, clinicians, family therapists and registered dietitians work together to create a specialized, evidence-based treatment plan for each patient. For additional information about EDCD, check out our website, http://www.edcdenver.com, visit us on Facebook, and/or follow us on Twitter (@EDCDenver).
