(I wasnt triggered by your post. I think mostly people are triggered by numbers and references to specific foods or behaviors...?)

Anyway, I'm sorry you've been dealing with an ED. I think the best thing you can do for yourself is to get to therapy. Even if you feel that you're "not that bad" or you're not "officially" diagnosed or youre a health weight... the behaviors need to be addressed. And more importantly, you need to discover 1) why you use these behaviors, whaty you're coping with by using the ED and 2) coping skills in order to stop using ED behaviors. CBT and DBT are especially helpful for EDs.

As for the triggering comments, I feel like the more I use behaviors, the more likely I am to get triggered by comments. That's because ED's control over us likes to DISTORT everything. The ED loves to bend facts and comments to suit its destructive nature. When you're deep in ED, these comments can be so detrimental.

I dont think we can actually start to think healthily and accept different comments when we are actively feeding ED. We must be in recovery and healthy to learn how to deal with these comments.

hi hon- you can message me if you want to talk more about it. I definitely have received my fair share of comments...yuck! xoxo Ali

Firstly I don't think you've said anything to trigger anyone. You've written a very well thought out post :)
I'm not recovered but so many times people make comments that cause an increase in negative behaviours. Personally I feel the only way to resolve this issue is by acknowledging the real cause or the original cause of your behaviours. Mainly because the comments are sometimes meant to positive and supportive. Whether you are able to do that by yourself or need some professional support is your choice. Again this is just my view but I think a counsellors input, even if only short term can aid recovery.

I think, first, you have to use your strength to counter the distortions of the ED. The ED likes making you think that even compliments ("Oh wow, you look so much better and healthy!" for example) are negative, and that you need to starve/binge/purge/exercise to bring the hurt and pain of the inside to the outside. Once you identify that that is an unhealthy and inappropriate reaction, you can begin to tackle the trigger.

But I do know that the feelings of "GRRRRRRRRR, why would she comment on my body!" don't just go away. So I make sure to use my voice. No, you don't have to be mean about it, but if there is a friend/family member who makes a comment on your physical appearance, speak up. I like to say things like: "Er, I like to think I am more than my physical appearance, since, ya know, they do always say 'Never judge a book by its cover!'" Obviously, if it's a strange or someone who that wouldn't "work" for, really start using your power to flat-out "catch the distorted thought, challenge it, and change it."

yes It is very difficult to handle most comments.

A friend at work told me I was losing weight again... Im not thin at all... but also trying not to diet so much just be healthy...

I found it extremely triggering, even tho it was a "positive" comment. But I dont blame her... she was doing what most ppl do. It was how I handled it... thats what is important.

I knew it was a trigger for me. I simply said "oh yeah?" I tried to forget about it asap.

Triggers only trigger if you let them I have learned... SO you HAVE to target what triggers you and work on that. BC other ppl will always exist on our worlds...

its hard but you can do it.

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Sometimes my husband will say things like "Wow you are looking better" Or my doctor will tell me that I am not underweight. It is hard when you want to hang on to that control. And for me being sick is what gives me power. If you want to message me you can

I want to say also that I have no clue what the "underlying" cause is and I don't have the money to get any "professional" help right now. I guess I wasn't doing as good as I thought or the comment wouldn't have affected me. Thank you so much for your comments. Its just now every time I go to eat I "hear" that comment again ugh. Its so frustrating that I can't just "get over" this once and for all. It's like when I think I'm okay something happens ugh.