Those April Showers

April can be a particularly challenging month for people with eating problems. Many people are excited when the days become longer, but for those with an eating disorder, this can often be a stressful time. People who resort to bingeing, purging or starving find themselves tending to isolate (the better to do their eating disorder behaviors in private). Particularly in big cities like Manhattan, those who are isolated and lonely often compare themselves with others and imagine that other people are having wonderful times with their partners and families and being in love. This, of course, gets them more depressed as it feels like such a contrast to their lives, where they feel so deprived. This, in turn, leads to more bingeing or other eating problem behaviors.

The April holidays of Passover and Easter can be very stressful for many. Many people are concerned about family conflicts or not having much to say when a family hasn’t seen each other for a period of time.

Passover is an extremely demanding holiday for observant Jewish women. The kitchen has to be cleaned from top to bottom, all bread products must be thrown out, all dishes have to be changed, no one can eat bread products for eight days. Special, often delicious food is prepared and enjoyed. Women, particularly in the Sephardic culture, but in all facets of Judaism, are concerned with looking thin enough, young enough, well-groomed enough. This can create tremendous anxiety before the holiday. It can also result in an increase in eating disorder symptoms. Yet, if we remember the significance of Passover and that it is a holiday about freedom, we can rise above the superficial concerns to be freer of worry, rumination, body image anxiety and even depression and inspire us to fight for all the unfree people of the world including the Israeli hostages, people of Cuba and others under the reign of dictators.

Easter presents its own set of challenges. Some parents of adult children celebrate the holiday and their children don’t (quite a clash), and this can result in a conflict if not processed effectively. Easter eggs filled with chocolate often permeate the house. Perhaps we need to modify the amount of chocolate brought into the house, which can be a treat but also a trigger. Enjoy your chocolate while savoring it slowly without shame!

Ways to Increase the Joys of April

• April showers are often a good time to snuggle up and read, which is often very gratifying, not just surf the internet.
• Although many people are “poor” in April who owe taxes, remember that the fact that you have to pay them means you were blessed with earning money!
• The world is so broken. Get involved with causes to help global warming, the Middle East, and ones that express your political self. We often feel better when we are giving to others, not just dwelling on our problems, and helping the world become a better place.
• As trite as it may sound, many people who remember 3 things they are grateful for in the morning and evening often report higher levels of happiness.
• Treat yourself to the show “Real Women Have Curves” in NYC, which will help you with body image, mother-daughter relationships and the immigrant experience. It is filled with great music and dance. Laughter heals.

And remember, those May flowers are just around the corner! If you sink your teeth into the joys available to you, not just food, your healing from anxiety, depression, and eating problems will progress well!