One of the bad things about our recovery

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
One of the bad things about our recovery
2
Sun, 12-07-2003 - 7:33pm
It has always been hard that when you recover from an eating disorder, it is not as celebrated publicly as with alcoholism or drug recovery. You can't very well walk around saying, "I haven't puked in a month" or "I ate a meal with my family and I am not freaking out about it staying inside me" or "I haven't exercised in 2 WHOLE DAYS and that is OK with me"!!!!!!!! These are all HUGE accomplishments for us or at least me, and I really can't shout it out to the world. They would look at me like I was an idiot. THANK GOD FOR THIS BOARD.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2003
Mon, 12-08-2003 - 4:04am
Goodness gracious I know EXACTLY how you feel. I can say to my Mom, because we are so close and she is trying to be supportive of me in my recovery, "I didn't throw up yesterday. Yea!!!" But to any one else, my little brothers, new dates, even my friends...the ED is perceived in a negative light, or in a way that makes the 'sufferer' seem to lack discipline (e.g. "Just don't put your finger down your throat. You're an adult. Get over it!!!"). But I am learning that there is NOT shame in my ED. that my ED has to do with the issues of stifling my true self, trying to please everyone else, conforming to what society tells me is right instead of following my heart and higher self and better instincts. Amen for this board sister!!! It's nice to be able to share, vent, cry, laugh, or whatever, and know that we're not being judged and that other women have gone through our struggles.

Cheers and keep up the good work,

~Janine~ :-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 12-08-2003 - 6:35am

I totally agree with both of you. People just don't see EDs as substance abuse like alcoholism for example. The other thing that's been really hard for me, or has been in the past at least, is that I still have to eat. I am NOT saying it's easy to recover from alcoholism, but the choice is easy, you don't have any. With food I am faced with what, how much, and how often I should eat every single day because I need food to sustain me.


Yes, this board is awesome and I am so glad my friend pointed me to it last year.


Have a great week all! I will be praying for you as always.

Love & hugs, Kristina


The opinions I have expressed here are from my own experience and are not intended as medical advice or to take the place of your own physician's advice.

Love & hugs, Kristina