It's difficult to convey to a woman who is anorexic that the healing process does not have to be dramatic and extreme. Healing is a gradual process where each level of experience unfolds when the person is ready for it. That's one of the many reasons a mental health professional who understands eating disorders is so helpful. Healing is painful. So is being anorexic and living with hidden pain.

One kind of pain is endless. The other is in the service of healing and living that healthy life she so years for.

The biggest and most important step in healing is that first step...making the commitment to your own healing regardless of fear and regardless of what people think. The young adult anorexic woman knows that building a life on false appearances with no solid base just makes the structure she is creating more apt to topple on its own. The consequences will impact her and people who depend on her presence.

This adds to her anxiety. But this thought can also lead her to make a decisive move toward genuine healing and a genuine life.

There are ways to recover and people to help.

U.S. Sources of Help

More help is available in urban areas than rural areas, but more resources are continually developing around the country. Specific, personal, in depth and confidential attention is available through private practice licensed psychotherapists. This is often more costly than what is available through clinics which often offer treatment at low fee by therapists in training who are supervised by licensed professionals or by HMO programs which limit number of sessions and access to psychotherapy. Some hospitals have excellent in patient and out patient treatment programs for people with eating disorders.

Twelve step programs can be a great support. Plus the people you meet at local meetings may be able to provide good local referrals to public and private resources that may be helpful to you.

Referrals are available online for therapists, out patient and residential programs around the world.

See:

EDAP (Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention)

The Something Fishy website offers a treatment finder section.

next: Eating Disorder Early Recovery: "How Do I Begin?" The 84,000 Ways