Eating disorders and the holidays: Navigating a difficult time of year

The most wonderful time of the year doesn't ring true for everyone, especially for those who have an eating disorder.

Dr. Jenny Copeland with the RecoverED eating disorder program said so many American holidays revolve around food, which can create extra anxiety for people with eating disorders.

“There’s this idea that we can only eat these foods this time of year," Copeland said. "Those foods can be really difficult and more challenging for them to eat because of rules that their eating disorder has created for them.”

Copeland said combining food with big family gatherings can often put people with eating disorders in an uncomfortable position.

“Even in the best families, just having all of those people around, the pressure that maybe you don’t see all the time, people seeing you an