Setups & Triggers

  One of the most difficult aspects of the recovery process includes being able to identify one’s own setups or triggers for destructive behavior.  This is a very integral part of helping one’s self to avoid unwanted uncomfortable relapses.  So how do you prevent eating disorder relapses? Realize that a relapse can come on quickly by the smallest of triggers, and that not just one trigger can cause a relapse. Ultimately anything can be a setup or trigger causing one to fall back into old behaviors to assist with coping.  Recognizing ahead of time the things that could trigger one to relapse can be invaluable.  Here is just a list of potential contributors to slips/relapses.  It is highly recommended to sit down and write out your own list using this list as a guide.  Everyone’s list will be different because of everyone’s various life situations.  However if one takes the time to think through this part of the illness one can be better prepared for future difficult times.  Planning and preparation are key in helping oneself into recovery.

• Occupational concerns - Difficulties at work
• Depression – Anxiety – Mood Instability
• Feelings of inadequacy through various roles one has in life
• Cognitive distortions – faulty thinking
• Jumping to conclusions
• Significant other relationship issues/concerns/discomfort
• Birth of a child
• Death of loved one or friend
• Traumatic event
• Tests/Exams with school or occupation
• Increasing pressures from family
• Any significant loss-job, friendship etc…
• Being/feeling rejected - Insecurities
• Feeling unloved, unlovable, not good enough, unsupported
• Having someone close struggling with a difficult time
• Competition in any form
• Thinking the eating disorder is not an illness but matter of will power
• Thinking recovery from an eating disorder is a quick process
• Recently talking to a therapist about anything difficult but especially a past trauma (sexual/mental/physical abuse, rape, etc.)
• Just being released from inpatient treatment, or high levels of care for ED
• Being around those that are engrossed with their own eating disorders while you are trying to recover.
• Fear of recovering
• Fear of success
• Fears in general
• Believing that you are fully recovered when there are still underlying issues that have not been properly dealt with in a non-destructive way.

·         Social relationship difficulties mild to severe