 “Now, I’m going to stuff my ears with cotton balls so I don’t have to listen to you anymore.” This is what one of my long time clients announced to me a few weeks ago. While she was slightly joking, she was also slightly being serious. Eating disorder recovery is hard. It’s a disorder where one must learn to eat, but not too much; learn to incorporate favorite foods, but in moderation; follow a meal plan, even if hunger and fullness cues are sending different messages. Eating disorders are an illness where one third do not get well. Those that recover, must be mindful and ever vigilant to squash negative thoughts and urges to use eating disorder behaviors.
My heart goes out to all persons in treatment for an eating disorder. These courageous people must be honest with themselves, willing to talk about things they don’t want to talk about and accept feedback that they don’t want to hear. Imagine having to talk about your own embarrassing, secret issues and negative coping behaviors and accept feedback. Cotton balls, anyone?
2 Comments
Mary Fang
24/11/2014 12:38:51 pm
I completely agree with everything said in this post. Being honest has been the most important part in my recovery. That means being honest to my treatment team and to myself. It's okay to struggle. Please do not be ashamed of yourself if you do slip up, and please talk to somebody. That takes a lot of courage and is a huge sign of strength. When you are honest and tell somebody, you are winning over Ed because he doesn't want you to tell anyone, because Ed says "nobody will ever know you did this," and push you to go further away from recovery. I know it's tough to tell those who care about you that you are struggling, because you don't want to disappoint them. If you don't feel like you are able to share with others yet, write in an online private journal.
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6/1/2015 12:21:39 pm
Something I heard a lot while in the hospital for treatment was that recovery is one of the hardest and scariest things you will ever do BUT its all so one of the best things you will ever do. Now that I have been discharged for a little over 3 months I can see the truth in this! I know it's extremely hard and it honestly one of the worse things you will ever have to go through BUT it's extremely worth it! Once you get through the hard times you will look back and realize how strong you are and how great it was to push through the challenges. Leave a Reply. |
Pam Chin-Lai, MS, RD, LD, CEDRD specializes in the nutritional rehabilitation of eating disorders in children, adolescents and adults. Archives
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