Dr. Linda Helps - Admitting you have anorexia often requires a step of faith. You don’t really see the problem, but must believe what others say is true. Believing something you can’t see is faith. This may seem like an easy step, but it isn’t. Most people with anorexia adamantly deny the disorder. Confronting denial is the first step in healing.

You have allowed yourself to be deceived into thinking you are OK. As long as you hold on to this thought, you won’t feel sick. You may even have physical symptoms and still tell yourself that you are OK. Feelings are unpredictable. That’s why we don’t rely on feelings.

If someone is telling you that you have a problem, let go of your pride and believe them. It doesn’t matter what you feel; embrace truth. Make a mental decision to admit to the problem. Then, by faith, accept the need for help.

Every time your head tells you that you are not struggling, say, “That’s a lie. I have a problem. Until I admit to it, I won’t get better.” Say this everyday if you have to. Say it at every meal. Stay in the reality of the situation. Your mind will try to trick you into thinking you are OK when you are not.

Your tendency will be to not trust others. Often, people are a source of pain and hurt. You have learned to push negative feelings deep down inside. You may feel too frightened to trust again. But, trusting someone who wants to help you is essential. Accept help no matter how scary it feels. You must be willing to give up total control.

Spiritually, you need to repent. You have depended on yourself to a fault. Most usualy don't want to allow God to help them because they feel they've failed Him. This is another lie. You haven’t failed God. He wants you whole and functioning to full capacity. He promised you a sound mind. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. He wants to dwell in a well place.

The spiritual sin in anorexia is usually related to a reluctance to depend on God. Because people let you down, you are convinced God will do the same. Therefore, you believe you must be self-sufficient. Anorexia is a misguided attempt at being self-sufficient. This doesn’t please God. You are saying you don’t need to be dependent on Him. In a way, you are saying Jesus didn’t do enough on the cross to help you.

Understand that dependence on God does not mean losing yourself. It means letting go of the old self and gaining new life through Christ. He has great plans for you if you allow Him to be Lord of all. But you must desire Him to take His place. It isn’t enough to have good intentions about God. You must desire healing and want to learn to depend on God.

Letting go is an act of faith. It’s the only way to begin the process of healing. Will you admit to the problem? Will you take a step of faith? Will you acknowledge your need for Jesus to be Lord of all? Will you give up control and be dependent on Him?

Dr. Mintle – author, professor, Approved Supervisor and Clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – is a speaker and media personality, as well as a licensed clinical social worker with over twenty years in psychotherapy practice.

For more articles by Dr. Linda Mintle, visit drlindahelps.com.

E-mail Dr. Linda with your questions and concerns.