Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  A time of gratitude, family and food.  Sounds lovely.  But what if it isn't?

For people with eating disorders this holiday can be a nightmare.  An entire holiday devoted to food – yikes!

And not to mention family, which can be complicated.  Most people's families don't look like the ones we see in movies lovingly sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table in matching sweaters.  Nope, that's not reality.

Thanksgiving might mean getting together with your parents who you fear are disappointed in you or that you can't seem to please, or your siblings who resent you for having an eating disorder, or your grandmother who just wants to feed you and grandfather who thinks you need to "just eat."  Perhaps you will be sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table with a relative who abused you.  Family isn't always fun. 

And then there's the food!  Whatever type of eating disorder symptoms you struggle with, this holiday is a tough one.  When it comes to eating disorder recovery, you need to do what is right for YOU.  This may mean setting boundaries, making special arrangements in order to follow your meal plan, taking time out's during the day, leaving early, or even skipping it all together.  Talk it through with your treatment team or support system and come up with a plan and stick to it.  

Self care isn't selfish.