The holidays are a wonderful time for families to come together to celebrate and connect with one another, but they can also be a time of stress for many especially those struggling with issues around food.

Nicole Goolsby, LMFT, CEDS, has worked as an eating disorder therapist for the past five years, helping teenagers and adults who suffer from a variety of mental health issues related to food. The clinical therapist works with a team that includes a psychiatrist and a registered dietitian all working together to help clients identify signs that they may be struggling and provide treatment.

Goolsby says signs of an eating disorder can include feeling stressed around food, being fearful of weight gain, feeling guilty after eating, or skipping out on events that are food-focused.

These behaviors and feelings can increase around the holidays, she says. Learning strategies to manage your relationship with food is a great step to feel confident throughout the season.

Goolsby sat down together with registered dietitian Tholia Davila to highlight 10 strategies and reminders to get through the holidays.

Goolsby and Davila say this list is meant to provide as a reminder of the stressors that occur during the holidays and tips and tools for support. However, it cannot take the place of the benefits of working with a therapist, registered dietitian and physician in your recovery journey.

By learning to understand and respond to signs of an eating disorder, you can help the people in your life who may be struggling with one. If you or someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder, visit our eating disorder programs page and learn more about howLoma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Centercan help.

Request informationon any behavioral health concerns, and one of our intake coordinators will contactyou. If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately.

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Tips and tools for handling eating disorders around the holidays - Loma Linda University Health