People often think that if your nutrition is taken care of, the problem is solved. It is not. Food is much more than fuel.
This is true whether you cannot eat at all, or you can eat a little but your body cannot use it. Food is family meals and Sunday dinners. It is birthdays, Christmas and celebrations. It is a coffee with a friend, a takeaway on a Friday, the smell of something cooking. Eating also gives the brain a natural lift, a small feeling of pleasure and comfort, several times a day. When all of that is taken away, it leaves a gap that nothing quite fills.
What people feel
Many of us feel left out, cut off, and sometimes ashamed, even though we have done nothing wrong. Being around food can bring up anger or sadness. Some people feel guilty for feeling that way. All of it is normal.
What makes it harder
Other people often do not understand. Comments like "just have a little bit" or "I could never do that" can hurt, even when they are meant kindly. Pressure to eat, or to join in, can make things worse.
What helps
- Being able to talk honestly with people who live it too.
- Support from professionals, such as psychology or talking therapies.
- Helping family and friends understand. Our families section is a good place to start.
Losing food is a real loss. It deserves to be taken seriously, by others and by you.