kennykins8

Close Eating Disorders

I am recovering from anorexia/bulimia and am here for support.

Treatments

Celexa Not Working

Celexa did not help me, but I did not experience side effects while on it.

Dietitian Consult Working / Worked

I have done this as part of residential programs as well as on an outpatient basis. I am not currently seeing a dietitian. Having accountability and help with meal planning was helpful. I have noticed that some of the positive changes have become stronger even since I stopped seeing the dietician.

Group Therapy Somewhat Helpful

All groups I did were during residential treatment. The ones that I found most helpful were art therapy, expressive therapy, relapse prevention planning, relationships, gender & sexuality group, guided imagery, core group (where group members shared written topics assigned by the team), eating disorder group, as well as support at meals/post-meal

Lexapro Somewhat Helpful

Lexapro was slightly helpful. I do not take it now, but it was probably the best of the anti-depressant medications for me. It did not produce any side effects either.

Prozac Somewhat Helpful

It helped at first, but I had a reaction between it and another medication and could no longer take it.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I now go once a week and used to go more often. It has been good for me to have someone to talk to other than my family and friends.

Residential Treatment Center Somewhat Helpful

of the places I went (Brattleboro Retreat in 2005, Klarman Center in 2007, Castlewood in 2007-2008, and a second time in 2008), I felt that Castlewood was good. I wasn't ready at any of those times really unfortunately, but I did think that Castlewood was a good place to get help.

Topamax Working / Worked

I don't take this for a reason related to my eating disorder...for headaches and seizures. But, it works for those things.

Zoloft Not Working

Zoloft did not help me with depression or anxiety.

Writing Working / Worked

One of the treatment centers I went to gave out writing assignments each week (which you would share in groups later)--they were helpful topics to explore to learn about the function of my eating disorder or other major life experiences.

Guided Imagery Somewhat Helpful

Was done in treatment once a week. I found it difficult the whole time I was there, but impossible to relax and sit still more the first few weeks than later one. It helped me learn that I am in charge of my recovery.

Research Working / Worked

I try to support my recovery by checking out how organizations are advocating for better insurance coverage for eating disorders, etc.

Close Anxiety

Treatments

Atarax Not Working

Vistaril only worked the first time I took it and then did not work again.

Ativan Not Working

Was not helpful. Always became tolerant of it quickly and was then switched to another medication.

Breathing Exercises Not Working

I had trouble with these most of the times I tried them.

BuSpar Somewhat Helpful

Was somewhat helpful when combined with Lexapro, but not when taken alone.

Klonopin Not Working

Made me sleepy and worked the first few times and then I became tolerant of it and it no longer worked at all.

Lexapro Somewhat Helpful

Was the most helpful of the anti-depressant medications I've tried. No side effects.

Meditation Considering

It would probably help, if I would stick with it.

Positive Thinking Considering

I have tried at times, but then I get stuck again and anxious and depressed, then give up. I think it works, until I get stuck and give up.

Trazodone Somewhat Helpful

Never tried for anxiety, but helped a bit for sleep although dosage had to be adjusted up and down often.

Valium Not Working

Negative side effects--became unable to think clearly/remember much of anything, writing was difficult, didn't help the anxiety much.

Xanax Not Working

Made me feel addicted to this medicine and put me to sleep. Fuzzy memory (like with valium).

Zoloft Not Working

No side effects, but not helpful either.

Writing Working / Worked

Keeping a positive journal was helpful for the few months that I did it.

Hospitalization Working / Worked

Thorazine Somewhat Helpful

It helped anxiety, but I became sun sensitive and got sunburns easily. High risk side effects. Not a first choice.