Alternatives to E.D.
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Alternatives to E.D.
| Wed, 09-13-2006 - 9:22am |
I am having a hard time coming up with alternatives to E.D. and I was hoping you all would be willing to share some strategies that have worked for you. I especially have a hard time when I'm out in public and E.D. quicks in. How do you distract yourselves and get through the moment?
Sara

Good question, Shizz!
The trick is to somehow become aware of your true desire -- getting through the moment.
~Diana~
I have thought of a few things to do while I'm at home or in a private setting when E.D. hits, but I have trouble when I'm in public because I don't want to draw attention to myself. Here's what I have tried and been successful with.
-Taking my dogs for a walk.
-Expressing my feelings to my husband. (This one is really hard, and I can't always do it, but when I can it really helps. It makes me realize that food is not what I want or need.) I've found this website to be very helpful when I am having difficulty expressing myself. http://www.peacefullivinghhc.com/feelingslist.htm
-Exercise
-Going on a walk
-Calling a friend
Sara
I visited the page you provided the link for.
~Diana~
Hi Sara.
That's a good question, and I am glad Diana suggested that this be the question of the week. I'm trying to think about what I do...
1) If I can get away for a few minutes, I take a fast walk around the block to get grounded. Or, again if I can get away, I may journal a few notes about what I am feeling at the moment to at least get some of the emotions out of me in a productive manner.
2) If I am with people, I try really hard to focus on them, what they are saying, and try not to think about myself. It's easier for me if I just focus on others and devote my thoughts and energy to them. This one's a short-term thing though to get me through hard moments. Ultimately I do know that I have to revisit why the ED was triggered and spend time focusing on my well-being.
3) I try to find temporary distractions, mostly, that take my thoughts and energy away from the ED and devote it to something else that's more healthy and productive.
I don't know if any of these are helpful. You may also want to check out the Recovery Toolbox and Ways to Cope pages at www.somethingfishy.org. There are lots of suggestions on those pages.
Hugs to you, and if you have other helpful tips (like the one's you listed in one of your posts), feel free to share those too! Thanks for the question.
Love,
so_cal_runner
This is such a good thread to have.
When I'm ansxious and feeling unsafe, these are the things I do:
~ I take a long walk. Sometimes I take my camera with me and that will really have me focus on something else.
~ I do yoga
~ I play a computer game: The Sims 2, Spider Solitaire
~ I draw. When I don't feel like drawing, I take a colouring book and colour. Of I print a mandala and colour that
~ I watch TV or listen to a radio program (mostly talk shows so that I really have to concentrate on it. A music program leaves my mind wandering)
~ I make a list of all the good things that are going on in my life right now
~ I go to the boards :-)
Hi Sara,
Some times what works for me is music, either