I wish you strength and love! Do you have a good support system? I admire your dedication to recovery!

Thank you! I wish you the same. :) I have lots of loving family and friends that try to help but it is still hard, as I'm sure you know.

I very much believe full recovery is possible. Why? Because I am very close to being ED free. It's been a lot of hard work but I can honestly say it was worth it.

My therapist taught me that ED's are coping mechanisms (not a disease) and I do believe this to be true. I worked hard in my 20's (I am 49 now) to change my thought process from negative thinking to positive thinking and at the same time worked on my body image issues. This involved changing my self talk about myself and stopping myself from comparing myself to others among other things.

That alone did not help me fully heal though. I actually had to heal trauma I had from my childhood (sexual abuse). I did not remember the trauma until 5 years ago and once I started healing that and allowing myself to feel again was I able to see that the ED was in fact a coping mechanism. It takes time to learn how to feel again and then time to see how the coping mechanism is used to prevent oneself from feeling. I was surprised at how deep and how many levels there were to having an ED.

If you have a trauma in your past then I would urge you to work on healing it with a good therapist. This may help you reach your goal of being fully healed - from your past and from the ED (and any other coping mechanisms you may use). If you are already working with a therapist then keep on working hard to change your self talk and your view of your body. You can heal and you deserve to heal. You deserve a life free from an ED.

Hi, I am sorry you are having a hard time with this. I am glad you have family and friends to help. But yes some days it is hard and they really don't know how we feel and what we are going though. Lots of hugs for you. Laya

Glad you joined us! I 100% believe complete recovery is possible. I know many are not able I achieve it unfortunately which gives the impression/belief that EDs have to be a chronic disease. I have been in the fight a long time and have a long way to go but I do believe I will get there eventually. I agree w the above- good counseling, therapy,medication mamangement if necessary, treatment and supoort teams are key. It's not like a drugs and alcohol where it is either abstain or use, black and white- we have to relearn how to exist in a world where food is a requirement for living. I know it takes lots of practice and relearning many of our day to day thoughts, but one day I will be there and I hope you can too!
Glad you joined us! It's a good group.