ANAD
ANAD is an acronym for The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. It is the oldest non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to alleviating the problems of eating disorders.
The following are the Steps to A-N-A-D (Applying New Attitudes and Directions) reprinted with permission:
1) Admit to ourselves that we have an eating disorder.
2) Recognize that “food” and “weight” are not the real issues, but that other underlying problems in our lives have led to our obsession with food, eating, and weight.
3) Make an honest attempt to identify the problems underlying our eating disorder.
4) Acknowledge that self-starvation and/or binge-purging are not offering a healthy or satisfying solution to these problems.
5) Accept the responsibility for changing our own lives and applying more appropriate methods of coping with problems.
6) Realize that we do not have to struggle alone to overcome our problems. We can accept the caring support of others and the guidance of spiritual strength.
7) Establish small individual goals aimed at changing our unhealthy attitudes and behaviors and begin working seriously toward their achievement.
8) Reinforce and sustain our personal growth process by reaching out and helping others struggling with eating disorders.
For information about ANAD support groups, call 847-831-3438.