Introduce yourself to the 7 Cups Eating Disorder Community!
Hi guys, I'm a girl who had been struggling with an eating disorder for 3 years now. I've convinced my therapist and my parents that I'm recovered, but yet I'm still really struggling. My mom is taking me off my meds because their is now "nothing" wrong with me, when I can even eat in front of my extended family. No one in my family understands how hard this have been, and I don't think they actually give two shits anymore.
Heya, welcome to 7cupsoftea :) I hope you'll find good support here. Stay strong.
@BellaTheFetus66 - It can be really hard for people to realize that just because your eating or your weight has normalized that it doesn't mean you're 100% recovered. That was definitely something that was hard for me when I felt like I was losing the support when I still really needed it. Do you think you could talk to them about how you still need support and help from them and that even though things are better, you're still not all the way there? Feel free to reach out if I can help support you. Take care, sweetie!
@Bellathefetus66
Hi Bella. I am glad that you are strong to build your own support system starting with us. :)
I was diagnosed with builimia when i was younger and struggled with that for a lot of years. I quit making myself throw up and quit taking laxatives after every meal and have just keep the binge eating part of builimia. I have now been diagnosed with binge eating disorder.
Welcome to the site! If you ever need support, you can use the browse listener page and find a listener that has Eating Disorders in their category list :)
@JStar - It sounds like you've come a long way in some areas but are still struggling a lot with your eating disorder. That's normal. A lot of people with eating disorders see them morph over time from one to another, but you can get through this and recover. Reaching out here is a huge step and I'm really proud of you for doing it. And I hope you'll keep reaching out for the support you need, whether from your friends and family or from listeners here. Take care, you can do it!
Hey everyone! I have actually recovered from an eating disorder, but i feel like my eating disorder always will be a part of me, i'm very open to talk and help if i can!
@AHelpingHand2110 - Congratulations on your recovery - that's so amazing! And I think you're right that to some extent your experiences will always be colored by it, but there can be a great power in being able to use those experiences to help others, to seize your strength, etc. Thanks for posting!
@AHelpingHand2110
Thank you for taking the time to share with us. It is amazing to begin a new life! I also love the fact that in your story we can find inspiration and believe that we can do it too:).
Well, this experience can be looked as something to be aware of. You now know what to do yo feel empowered and or not rigth?:) perhaps considering this can help when you feel overwhelmed by the memory?
Take care we are so proud of you !:)
Hello, I am a young woman who is struggling with Body Dysmorphic disorder and Anorexia. It has gotten to a point where I refuse to eat for days and I constantly push my self to limits where I'm sick. I finally became aware of how bad it has gotten thanks to a friend but it's hard to fight against the feeling of eating too much. I would appreciate some support and tips how to deal with this.
@VienLynn - It is hard, but I think you've already taken two of the most important steps. You've recognized that it's a problem and that you need support and you've reached out to get that support. Both of those are huge and take a lot of courage, and I'm proud of you.
In terms of tips, my two biggest ones are
1. Keep reaching out. That can be to friends, family, listeners here, etc., but keep reaching out and talking and getting the support you need.
2. Take it a day at a time, or a meal or hour if you need to. Small steps still count and they add up. Forgive yourself for slips, celebrate victories, and whatever you do, just keep moving forward.
You can do this! Take care
Hi I have had bulimia for 5 years now and although I know its wrong it's hard to even think about not having it and living a 'normal life'. Can anyone recommend the best treatments preferably not medication? Thanks :-)
@Freddie12 - there's no single method of treatment that is right for everyone, so you may have to try out different things and figure out what is most helpful to you. A few things that some people find helpful besides medication:
- Therapy, ideally with someone who specializes in eating disorders
- Seeing a nutritionist to get help with meal planning
- Inpatient or Outpatient treatment that covers a lot of different things in a more comprehensive manner
- Art or Music therapy
- Yoga or meditation
- Practicing mindfulness
- Support groups
If you need to talk through any of this, feel free to reach out to me or any other listener. You can get through this. Take care
Hey people. I'm new in this. I suffer from anorexia nervosa. I've been diagnosed today by a psychiatrist. I'm afraid.
@alexlove - it's okay to be scared. That's 100% normal. But now that it's out there and you know there's a problem, you can fight it. Reach out for the support you need from friends, family, listeners here, etc., and just fight like crazy. And throughout that, remember to be kind to yourself and forgiving. When the instincts rise to be cruel, think of what you would say to a dear friend in your situation. You need to be that friend to yourself. You can recover. You are strong.
Hi all. I'm pretty new here. I have disordered eating. I identify mostly with BED, but recently I'm not interested in food at all. I was seeing a psychologist, but he discharged me because I wasn't making progress. I just want to have a normal relationship with food.
@LFB - Welcome, I'm glad you're here and that you're reaching out for support. Developing a normal relationship with food is incredibly hard and takes time, but it is possible, and being open and honest with where you're at is a big step. Given that you're no longer seeing your previous psychologist, are you looking into other therapists or other forms of treatment right now, or are you going without for a bit? What does your support system look like? Never hesitate to reach out to listener here if you need some extra support. Take care!
Thanks. At the moment I don't really have any support. I can see the psychologist again, but when I'm in a place to do better. I'm not sure how to judge that!
Hi, everyone! My name is Allie. I'm an 18 year old second year university student in Canada. I'm studying research psych (I love cognitive stuff, especially memory!). I've struggled with anorexia for three years now. I haven't sought help because my parents have some... rather unconventional attitudes towards Western medicine and mental health. I've been seriously looking into my options for professional help once I start the new school year and I'm own my own again. Thing is, I'm terrified.
I'm here because I feel like I really need some support from others who understand. I don't have anyone I can confide in, and recovery is so difficult alone.
@Quintessence - I am so glad you're reaching out here! I completely agree - recovery is incredibly hard, and even moreso when you don't have others to lean on, but we are here to support you.
Getting treatment for the first time can be really scary, but I'm really proud of you for recognizing that you need it and for exploring your options - a lot of schools offer free counseling or can refer you to other places. And having somewhere you can talk openly and with someone who knows a lot about these topics is huge.
In the meantime, if you want to talk through your options with someone or get some extra support, you can feel free to reach out to me or to any other listener here. Take care and stay strong - you can do this!
@Quintessence
Allie, it is wonderful to see you are fighting for yourself! Creating a support system can help changing situations we struggle with. Seeking expert advice could be a another step, if you feel ready. We usually struggle the time that takes us to reach out for help when we can't control the challenge anymore, have you considered this? I'm not sure if this point of view helps you today. It helped me I'm the past and I thought I could share with you. Thank you for sharing. :)
Hello everyone :)
My name is Molly, I am 16 years old and live in Ireland.
I used to comfort eat a lot during the height of my depression, and I honestly didn't care about my weight or anything for years. Last Summer though, something shifted in my head and I now have OSFED. I restrict, I binge, I have panic attacks over food, I don't know what to do. A few of my friends know and have been very supportive ... My family haven't a notion, they all just think I'm on a healthy eating kick. I am so unhappy with myself and am so scared of food
Hi. This sounds very similar to how I am at the moment too. I hope you're doing OK today. x
@eponinedream - first of all, I'm really proud of you for reaching out here. That takes a lot of strength and courage. It sounds like you're starting to feel like things are getting out of control and scared of where it is headed. I know your parents don't know what's going on right now, but do you think that telling them might help you get the help you need? If not, what other ways can you reach out to get support and care through this?
You really can recover. And you should never hesitate to reach out to a listener here if you need an ear to listen or someone to help you track down resources. Take care.
Hi! C: My name is Eugenia, I'm 15 years old and I'm Italian. I don't have an eating disorder, but I always try to throw up the food and my body don't throw it up. I really hate my body,everyone (especially my parents) say "You're fat and I think you're the ugliest girl in Italy!"
Sorry for my English,I know that I don't speak it very well.
I can assure you, none of the things they tell you are true. You're beautiful. And your English is pretty good :) xx
@lightslife - Eugenia, I'm glad you're reaching out here - that's a really big step. It can hear that you are really struggling with body image and with feeling comfortable about yourself, and I can relate. I'm so sorry you are feeling that way - no one should have to, and in particular it is unfair and cruel of your parents to speak to you like that. Please continue to reach out for the support you need - we have a lot of great teen listeners on here who would love to help. Take care, sweetie.
@lightslife
Eugenia, buona sera senorina!:)
I want to tell you that you are a beautiful person. You can define yourself. You have the amazing power and dignity to take control of your life. If you feel like you need support no shame in that either; you are capable of any task, You can do this! :) we are here for you! ;) let me know if you want to talk;)
