Eating Disorders Support Group
Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.
Hi all, I am currently in treatment and today in a group we did something that might tickle some of you. I have thought about it many a times and feel terrible as to how much my ED has cost me (and others). But it was amazing how some people in my group NEVER realized it! So I would like to share this with you all, perhaps it may help, perhaps not. But either way it is interesting to think about...
Think about the cost of your eating disorder.....
1. What relationships have suffered?
2. How much money has been spent on diet pills, diet books, diet programs, etc.?
3. What physical consequences have you suffered?
4. What legal consequences have you encountered? (not everyone may answer this one)
5. How has your appearance been affected?
6. What consequences due to poor concentration have you had?
7. What other expenses have you endured because of the eating disorder?
Think about the cost of your eating disorder.....
1. What relationships have suffered?
2. How much money has been spent on diet pills, diet books, diet programs, etc.?
3. What physical consequences have you suffered?
4. What legal consequences have you encountered? (not everyone may answer this one)
5. How has your appearance been affected?
6. What consequences due to poor concentration have you had?
7. What other expenses have you endured because of the eating disorder?
1) ending my Engadgement
2) Who knows but a lot
3) over exersizing, losing hair, other inturnal things
5) look tired and sad and not healthy
6) cant think straight and so depressed and anxious
7) loset my independence, my job, so much and now im back at home
I am glad you don't have any legal issues lg5288...but it could happen. It was amazing the things that I heard today...amazingly sad. But the most interesting thing was the fact that all of our answers were similar- NONE of us with ED are unique. We all SUFFER.
I guess I could share my results...also, after I did this I came up with my own list of how recovering has helped me. I hate just focusing on negatives...
1. relationship with parents (though it was already bad), more stress and pain on my husband, isolated from friends.
2. Hundreds on ED book, Thin magazines, laxies/diuretics/diet pills, my mother made me get liposuction- $8000, Dr bills per month ~$1600 out of pocket, Meds per month ~$200 out of pocket, $28,000 for Sheppard Pratt, $300/week now at Renfrew. So much more too.
3. Osteopenia, tachycardia, pale skin, hair loss, decreased endurance, decreased muscle mass, increase in bone fractures/breaks, anxiety, depression, IBS, fainting spells, surgery, fatigue, dental issues.
4. None thank god!
5. decreased energy, look sad/tired/depressed, sunken eyes, hair loss, frailty, brittle nails, skin issues.
6. Prior to this Fall I did everything and did it well even while dying from ED. I refused to stop doing things no matter how miserable I was. Though I did have increased anxiety, increased feeling of being overwhelmed, decreased memory and concentration. This year I was forced to take a leave of absence from coaching, coxing crew, and nursing school. I also had to drop activities I loved and quit my job at the pet store :(
7. Loss of fun in my life and loss of love for my body and self.
YES! I have realized how expensive this is and how much I am loosing rather than gaining with my ED problem. I am very ashamed of the money I waist on food, self help books, clothes, and the most sad thing is that even though I dont like admitting that it effects ALL of my interpersonal relationships, ED and the majority of addictions end up consuming every aspect of your life in some shape form or fashion. Sometimes when i think about the grip this ED has on my mind, body, and soul.... I want to scream at the top of my lungs. Addictions manifest themselves in ways that Im sure none of us were anticipating.