Reactions to change include slip ups

Periods of time leading up to a big change are particularly difficult. Sometimes the change is scheduled or anticipated like accepting a new job or going to college. Sometimes the change is unscheduled, but inevitable, like admitting a problem, accepting help, or entering treatment. No matter the pretense, a big change is difficult and can initiate a cascade of emotions or fears.

A change curve demonstrates the most common reactions to change. As an exercise for myself and to help define each concept, I'll give examples of response behaviors under each category. For me, each step in recovery has been a change and extremely triggering, but exploring reactions may help overall progress in recovery and prevent relapse.

Resistance: Process where the ego opposes conscious recall of anxiety-producing experiences

• Arguments regarding seriousness of eating disorder, addiction, or condition
• Hiding symptoms and tricking or lying to others about behaviors
• Refusal to participate or comply with treatment

Denial: Defense mechanism involving refusal to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts, or feelings

• Conviction the problem is under control
• Using functionality in other areas (academics, work, athletics) to deny problem
• Anosognosicism: unawareness or failure to recognize one's own problems

Commitment: Being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to other persons

• Complying with treatment recommendations and meal plans 
• Attending treatment regularly and recognizing its benefit
• Being up front with others about the problem and/or course of treatment
• Demonstrating actions or outcomes in attempting to achieve goals

Exploration: seeking and understanding new ways of doing things

• Understanding how and why to change habits 
• Looking forward to changing behaviors and maintaining changes for the long haul
• Making a plan to optimize recovery, promote wellbeing, and prevent relapse

Anyone making a big change can benefit from identifying behaviors that would fall under each category of response to change. Focus on commitment and exploration, while identifying how to minimize resistance and denial. Identify treatment strategies, support groups, individuals including friends and family, and resources (exercise, yoga, writing, journaling, hiking, fishing, biking, boating, outdoors) that will assist you in making this change. 

Most importantly, change for YOU. Do not include anyone or anything else in your list of reasons to get help and start living. YOU are worth change. YOU are worth success. YOU are worth recovery.