If you're relapsing - ask for help before you slip too far

One of the important things you need to remember is that if you feel you are relapsing, ask for help. It is not a sign of weakness, it is not failure and it is not something you need to be ashamed about. In actuality, you are being strong for admitting that what you are doing is wrong and that you need help. That something might have triggered you, or life might have been too tough or some other reason and it has made you resort to old ways. Relapse happens it can't always be avoided, however what can be avoided is falling back into the same state you were in or worse, just by talking to someone and admitting that you are struggling.

It is also important to remember that using a bheaviour just once, isnt ok. If you begin to feel anxiety over food, if you skip a meal because you feel you werent worth food or you felt too much anxiety to eat, that is not ok. If you 'ok' a behaviour or action, suddenly it becomes normal again and you wont know why you are skipping meals, just that you are. It is not ok to purge just once or to do that extra workout to burn off that muffin (however, having more energy because you eat more is not the same thing as feeling guilty for eating more and feeling the need to burn more calories by forcing yourself to workout), or to avoid going to a party because you are scared of the food. If those types of thoughts pop into your head or you begin to do things like this again, then you need to be aware of these and not let them continue.

You know yourself best and if you have been free from certain thoughts or behaviours and they begin to pop back into your head or your life, you need to take control and stop them from controlling you again. It can go so quickly, from skipping a meal once to suddenly skipping breakfast and dinner or avoiding friends because you might have to eat.



^^Be aware of these signs and if you feel that you are in the yellow or red, then reach out for help.

Dont think that you have to be independant or strong and over come things on your own, it is ok to ask for help, infact it is recommended. You might lose trust if you have relapsed for a while and tried to keep it secret, then it might mean that your parents have to keep an eye on you or take away a bit of your freedom, but that is what is going to help you.

If you are struggling or you know you have began to relapse, ask for help. Whether you personally talk to someone, send a message or write  a note to someone, it is importnat to get the help and support you need. Because if you let things continue to spiral down they will just get worse and worse, and that is not worth it.