COVID-19 Effect on Families Facing Eating Disorders:
#NEDAConnections: COVID-19 Effect on Families Facing Eating Disorders
Laura Collins Lyster-Mensh, MS, Executive Director of F.E.A.S.T., discusses the effects COVID-19 may have on families who are currently experiencing eating disorders, and the resources they have shared.
Posted by National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) on Thursday, April 9, 2020
Interview with F.E.A.S.T. Executive Director by #NEDAConnections via Facebook Live on Thursday, April 9, 2020
At F.E.A.S.T. we are thinking of families around the world facing the change in routines and anxiety levels during the novel coronavirus spread. This page is a collaborative project supported by our volunteers and staff.
- Live Chat/Email/Phone support services by parents for parents
- F.E.A.S.T. Position Statement: Recovery First: Yes, Even In A Pandemic
- See our Executive Director’s comments on families during the crisis
- F.E.A.S.T. interview in Mel Magazine
Blog Posts
- NEW: Recovering Sibling Relationships in the Wake of an Eating Disorder
- Caring for Loved Ones from a Distance
- Instagram meal support by ED providers every 2 hours
- Shelter in Place Advice by F.E.A.S.T. Advisor
- Normalizing Normal in unusual times
- June Alexander, F.E.A.S.T. Advisor, ‘What can I do?’ the COVID-19 pandemic
- Judy Krasna, F.E.A.S.T. Board Member, Isolated, But Not Alone
- Christine Naismith, EDFA, Australian Carers’ Perspectives on the current insecurities brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic
Getting eating disorder help for your family while quarantined at home
- NEW: Organisations offering Online Support Groups and Events
- Email or call your provider to see if telehealth options are available during the current period
- Many providers have expanded or started these options, and legal limitations on their use have been waived temporarily by insurers and national health systems
- Consider an online coach or provider
- Utilize parent forums to vent, troubleshoot problems, get validation, and access emotional support
- NEW: for those personally needing meal support: Meal Support Instagram Group & Acompañamiento de comida con enfoque HAES
Eating Disorders and the Novel Coronavirus
- NEW: F.E.A.S.T. Advisor, Belinda Caldwell “Self-isolation a nightmare for people with eating disorders”
- NEW: F.E.A.S.T. Board Member, Nicki Wilson, featured in: “Eating disorders a ‘nightmare’ in coronavirus lockdown” article
- Are Individuals with Eating Disorders at Greater Risk from COVID-19? (Dr. Gaudiani)
- COPING GUIDE First Steps ED – Guide to coping with Covid-19 (First Steps UK)
- Covid-19 + ED: FAQs (NEDIC, Canada)
- Immunological disturbance and infectious disease in anorexia nervosa: a review
- COVID-19: Tips & Advice for people with an eating disorder (Butterfly Foundation, Australia)
- Coping With COVID-19 In Eating Disorder Recovery (Eating Disorders Coalition, Canada)
- Eating Disorders and Coronavirus (BEAT, UK)
COVID-19 and mental health: helping families and children understand
- NEW: Coping with COVID-19-related disappointments
- Sesame Street Launches New Coronavirus Resources For Kids And Parents: The Wiggles are upping their effort to gets kids to wash hands, too.
- Navigating the Emotions of a Pandemic (Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Learning Network)
- If you’re worried about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak (Samaritans)
- Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource (National Association of School Psychologists) in English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, French, Vietnamese)
- Choosing sources of information carefully is critical to COVID-19 mental well-being says Mental Health Commission of Canada
- How to talk to your child about coronavirus disease 2019 (UNICEF)
- Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus (Childmind Institute)
- What to do if you’re anxious or worried about coronavirus (COVID-19) (Anxiety Canada)
- Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak (Mental Health Foundation, UK)
- Coping With Coronavirus: Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety (NIMH, US)
- Coronavirus: How to protect your mental health (BBC)
- OCD and anxiety disorder treatment can be complicated by coronavirus fears (Washington Post)
Quarantine and Social Distancing
- Why do we “socially isolate?” Animated graphics on “flattening the curve”
Food is Medicine
- Should we clean our groceries?
- Grocery rules for your coronavirus lockdown: Buy beans, freeze milk, don’t hoard, and more
- COVID-19 Food Safety Questions, Answered
- Australian Carers’ Tips on shopping, feeding, and coping
Distress Tolerance
- Skills Distress tolerance is a parental superpower, not a lack of caring
- DBT Distress Tolerance Skills Sheet
Self Care
- Around the Dinner Table forum ‘Self Care Ideas’ thread
Lighter stuff and distractions
This page is an active collaboration with volunteers within the F.E.A.S.T. community: please email us to share suggestions and resources with other families.