The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted each and every one of us. It has been especially challenging for children and youth.
The brain goes through most of its development during puberty, but it continues to develop until the late teenage years. Children and youth also experience pressure from society on a daily basis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in the number of eating disorders.
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Increase in Eating Disorders During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused stress for all of us. Social isolation, interruptions in daily routines, and changes with eating disorder treatment programs have caused eating disorders to skyrocket.
In addition, many folks have been on social media more since the start of the pandemic. There may be a link between social media and eating disorders.
Eating disorder thoughts and behaviours such as over-exercising, restricting food and binging/purging have been on the rise throughout the pandemic. Worsening eating disorder symptoms can result in further medical complications, such as heart issues and malnutrition.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Eating Disorder Treatment
The health care system has had to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, waitlists for in-patient eating disorder (ED) treatment have become very long during the pandemic.
The transition from in-person appointments to online appointments in March 2020 changed the delivery of ED treatment. Clinicians and folks living with an eating disorder had to quickly adapt to changing COVID restrictions and using new technologies for appointments.
Benefits of Online ED Services
Recent research shows that there are several benefits of online eating disorder appointments. These benefits include:
- Easier to access because of virtual appointments
- Clinicians are able to see more clients each day
- It is easier for clinicians to share online resources during virtual sessions with their clients
How to Practice Self-Care During the Pandemic
We know how challenging the COVID-19 pandemic has been for you and your child. Give yourself and your child grace as you navigate eating disorder recovery and the pandemic together. Here are some self-care activities you can recommend to your child:
Journaling
It can be helpful for your child to write down their thoughts and feelings and get them out of their head and onto paper.
Colouring and Drawing
Art is a great way for your child to let out their creative side. Stress-release colouring books are available at local bookstores.
Mindfulness
Encourage your child to be present and in the moment. Your child should focus on their breath and take a moment to be aware of their surroundings. Our YouTube channel has a positive coping skills playlist that can be used for mindfulness.
Remember that mindfulness includes mindful eating – your child should disconnect from technology during meals and snacks and focus on what’s on their plate.
Disconnect From Socials
It can become a habit for your child to scroll mindlessly on their phone when they’re bored. Sometimes social media can cause negative thoughts and feelings. Your child can manage screen time by tracking how many hours they are on each app and set a weekly goal to reduce the amount of time they spend on technology per day.
Coping With the Pandemic and ED Recovery
Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic can be tough. Here are some strategies to make it a bit easier:
Meal Planning
Since we have been spending a lot of our time at home during the pandemic, meals and snacks can be planned and prepared ahead of time. This way, your child knows what foods they can expect – this can make ED recovery a little easier for your child!
At Change Creates Change, we use the Refeeding HierarchyTM to help guide folks through the refeeding process. Once your child has progressed through the Refeeding HierarchyTM, they can begin to incorporate “challenge foods” back into their diet. When your child reaches the last level (level 5), “challenge foods” should be kept in the house and incorporated into meals and snacks.
It is important for your child to remember that their current eating routine could change slightly because of the uncertainty with the pandemic – which is fine!
Talk It Out
Make sure your child knows they are not alone. Encourage them to reach out to you, other loved ones or health care professionals when they need to. With ED services being offered online, phone calls or ZOOM sessions are easy to access. Online support groups are also always an option. Visit the National Eating Disorder Information Center (NEDIC) for more information and resources.
Create a Routine
Encourage your child to create a routine. They should get out of bed and go to bed at the same time each day. When they get up, they should get dressed even if they’re going to be staying at home all day. If they would like, they can also start the day with one of the self-care practices we listed above. Your child’s routine should also include regular meal times until your child’s hunger and fullness cues are restored.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been (and continues to be!) very challenging. The pandemic is exhausting. It is no surprise that your child may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious. We’re here to help.
To learn more about our team and to connect with other families affected by eating disorders, click below to enroll in our free on-demand webinar hosted by our Clinical Director, Jillian Walsh, RD, RP.
