Season triggers more calls for help.

Byline: Elizabeth Cooney

The following correction was published Dec. 5, 2007:

The Multi-services Eating Disorders Association will hold a workshop on coping with the holiday season from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at its Newton office. Because of a reporting error, the time of the workshop was incorrect in a story in Monday's Living section.

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For people with eating disorders, the holidays can be a painful time.

Clinicians who treat the illnesses likely spent last week talking to their patients about how they fared over Thanksgiving, said Beth Mayer, chief executive officer of Multi-service Eating Disorders Association. Holiday celebrations centered on food can trigger depression, fear, grief, anger and anxiety in people struggling with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.

Calls to the nonprofit agency in Newton and visits to support groups double at this time of year.

"These times are unbelievably challenging," she said.

Eating disorders can be life-threatening when people become malnourished after not eating enough or vomiting what they do eat. Although not the most common psychiatric disorder, its fatality rate of between 10 percent and 20 percent ranks high on the list of mental illnesses.

"It's a very misunderstood illness," said Ms. Mayer, a clinical social worker. "People don't realize the level of really horrifying distress that people are in."

MEDA recommends tips (see list) for coping with a season focused in many ways on food. It is also holding a workshop at 7:30 p.m. (SEE CORRECTION) Dec. 10 at its Newton office called "Strength and Connection Through the Holiday Season."

The agency offers assessments, referrals and support groups for individuals and families in Massachusetts and across the country through its Web site (www.medainc.org) and phone lines (866) 343-MEDA or [phone]).