Eating disorders- Advice & support

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I just wanted to offer my support too although I've never been in treatment myself despite clocking up 50 years of restrictive eating/rigid control/OCD. etc. It would be so liberating not to be saddled with this horrible condition/illness. I have so much respect and admiration for all of you who are undergoing treatment. It is the very best thing you could do for yourself when maybe it's yourself you have the problem with?

My daughter has not "inherited" my ED and I'm so thankful for that. I have always told her that it is a ghastly burden to carry through life when she needs to be free and not controlled by food ruminations.

Any achievement is really significant as zetta says so eloquently. You deserve to enjoy your beautiful girls without the bulimia shackles. You can do this..and will. It will take courage and you will need support but you've made that first really important step towards managing your bulimia and ultimately taming it xx
 
I don’t know about anyone else and whether it’s our/my sensitivities towards these things or actual increased mentions but I’m finding Ozempic etc being talked about on more and more threads. I’ve ignored it on the advice one so I don’t see it headlining there (which it often is), but seeing the term “food noise” on so many threads that I follow here is really difficult.

I understand that it is a newsworthy topic and that people want to discuss it, but when I follow an instagrammer and it descends into “let’s discuss how good it is to lose weight and not have “food noise””, I find myself in not a good place.

Just a thought.

(Someone I follow on Instagram said the same thing recently and she got piled on. Obviously I would never say this in a normal thread because I completely understand the various reasons people take these injections and wouldn’t want to derail their thread for that kind of discussion.)
 
zetta buttons said:
I don’t know about anyone else and whether it’s our/my sensitivities towards these things or actual increased mentions but I’m finding Ozempic etc being talked about on more and more threads. I’ve ignored it on the advice one so I don’t see it headlining there (which it often is), but seeing the term “food noise” on so many threads that I follow here is really difficult.

I understand that it is a newsworthy topic and that people want to discuss it, but when I follow an instagrammer and it descends into “let’s discuss how good it is to lose weight and not have “food noise””, I find myself in not a good place.

Just a thought.

(Someone I follow on Instagram said the same thing recently and she got piled on. Obviously I would never say this in a normal thread because I completely understand the various reasons people take these injections and wouldn’t want to derail their thread for that kind of discussion.)
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honestly I came on this thread to see if anyone else was as triggered by ozempic/mountjaro as I am! I feel like everyone appears to be on it and it makes it so hard to be accepting of weight gain and eating in a world where everyone is using a drug to not feel hunger! I actually spoke to my therapist about it and she said that so many of her patients feel the same.
 
I found this thread while looking through the thread about those medicines.
I've been prescribed a drug of this type, and am struggling with the experience of it as well as having the same feelings that have been articulated here about the place they have in culture at the moment.
I really appreciate hearing that there is understandably something to process about it. And for me that means something to criticise too.
I think there could be another gap in understanding when it comes to how these drugs could affect people on them. I've tried to bring up some tendancies towards eating trouble before to drs only when diet is actually being discussed, in view to getting effective advice, but it's never been heard.
I honestly think there should at least be some kind of tick box form to fill in before any prescribing as I think there's a likelihood of them causing chains of damaging thoughts in patients that aren't being considered.
 
I think the problem I have with all these mentions is that deep down I’m still not well. Really I want these injections, would happily lie and send a false picture in, lie to my wife about what I’m spending the money on and I’d love it if I could take something that made me feel sick, made me look ill, made my clothes not fit. I’m envious of those people that talk about the weight falling off and not being able to eat all day. I want that. It isn’t fair that I can’t just because I’m not in the category.

I know that is irrational and that is my ED talking but it’s the truth. in,

Apologies to those on here who take it for valid reasons and need it or who are struggling to get it. I don’t mean to offend. I just need to be honest. I can’t say these things to anyone.
 
zetta buttons said:
I think the problem I have with all these mentions is that deep down I’m still not well. Really I want these injections, would happily lie and send a false picture in, lie to my wife about what I’m spending the money on and I’d love it if I could take something that made me feel sick, made me look ill, made my clothes not fit. I’m envious of those people that talk about the weight falling off and not being able to eat all day. I want that. It isn’t fair that I can’t just because I’m not in the category.

I know that is irrational and that is my ED talking but it’s the truth. in,

Apologies to those on here who take it for valid reasons and need it or who are struggling to get it. I don’t mean to offend. I just need to be honest. I can’t say these things to anyone.
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this is exactly how I feel! And I try and bring some logic to things - these people losing huge amounts were at high starting weights, the weight loss will not be infinite and they are - for the most part- wanting to get down to a healthier weight as opposed to ED sufferers like us who want to get to the lowest, most unhealthy BMI we can still function at. And yet despite being able to look at it with logic, despite seeing the fact these drugs have been linked to cancers, pancreatic issues and are still relatively new, so who knows what issues they may cause down the line, with all that in mind I STILL feel envious and it absolutely feeds the competitive aspect of my ED. I hate that we are our own worst enemies. Sending love xxx
 
zetta buttons said:
I think the problem I have with all these mentions is that deep down I’m still not well. Really I want these injections, would happily lie and send a false picture in, lie to my wife about what I’m spending the money on and I’d love it if I could take something that made me feel sick, made me look ill, made my clothes not fit. I’m envious of those people that talk about the weight falling off and not being able to eat all day. I want that. It isn’t fair that I can’t just because I’m not in the category.

I know that is irrational and that is my ED talking but it’s the truth. in,

Apologies to those on here who take it for valid reasons and need it or who are struggling to get it. I don’t mean to offend. I just need to be honest. I can’t say these things to anyone.
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This is really honest and brave of you. It is very ED to feel competitive about weight. I hope you are getting support.
 
There is so much contradiction in terms of food consumption..On the one hand it's the obesity epidemic, weight loss drugs, health complications, calorie counts on menus and then everywhere you look highly calorific food is being promoted, supermarkets are overflowing with Christmas "goodies", tables are laden in adverts etc etc.

I try to drown it all out and survive as best I can...and I have survived albeit with ED "shackles". It doesn't make me a bad person, just one with limitations.
 
I think reading these past few posts have made me realise how much all the Ozempic discussion triggers me also. I’ve always been triggered by stories of anybody losing weight, and even though I’m in a good place now and not engaging in ED behaviours, seeing somebody looking slim is difficult for me.

I’m going to make a point of protecting myself from these conversations and articles going forward.
 
I thi
eppingforestbambi said:
I think reading these past few posts have made me realise how much all the Ozempic discussion triggers me also. I’ve always been triggered by stories of anybody losing weight, and even though I’m in a good place now and not engaging in ED behaviours, seeing somebody looking slim is difficult for me.

I’m going to make a point of protecting myself from these conversations and articles going forward.
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I think that's very important and a major step to take in order to maintain recovery.

It's hard to avoid all this weight loss/diet related "news" but I never engage with it. It would just make me even worse and although it rumbles on in the background I never choose to read anything which will be a trigger.

Christmas is a minefield at the best of times ..We need to protect ourselves as best we can so that we can manage the challenging stuff. Compared to everyone here I've made little progress but I can say that I recognise what sets me back.
 
It seems to be everywhere. There’s a whole discussion on the Wicked thread (including someone posting very triggering pictures of themselves without a spoiler) and the Ariana one is no better.

I’m not great atm. We are in the process of moving (I was at my most unwell 8 years ago when we last moved) and I can see old behaviours coming back. It feels comfortable to be doing them again so I’m not sure where to go with it.

I agree Christmas is really challenging. The last few (since 2019), I’ve been battling the draw to foods. Now, it’s the opposite and it all seems so excessive. Seeing that food raises a challenge to not eat IYSWIM. Each day that ends with limited intake is a win. I’ve beaten Christmas. I’ve countered the stress with the ability to control this. It feels great. It shouldn’t.
 
Challenging stuff going on in your personal life involving major change and stress will only make ED thoughts more powerful so more of a "refuge" to shelter in whilst you cope with what is going on with all the uncertainty this involves..? That's what I find anyway but I'm no expert or example..Far from it!

As for Ariana Grande...She's such a toxic person, ED or no ED. A terrible role model for any young person looking to emulate her.
 
I posted a few weeks ago about being referred to an eating disorder clinic. Today I had a letter through the post with my first in person appointment next week, there were three questionnaires in there for me to fill out prior to the appointment. At quick glance they’re pretty invasive. Asking things I’ve never spoken to anyone about really but it has been eye opening and seeing the questions written out makes me realise in a way that for the majority of people the way I feel about food and myself is just not normal. There’s questions such as ‘how often do you look in the mirror and feel dissatisfied with what you see’ and I thought to myself, isn’t that what everyone feels? Isn’t it normal to completely despise yourself and how you look? But I guess having it written down like that must means it’s not. I have however had a small win today, one of my food rules is that I cannot physically eat a meal if it doesn’t have at least 50% fruit or veggies but I messed my food shop delivery date up and we didn’t have any in so, for the first time in about 5 years I ate a jacket potato with tuna and no salad or veggies. This might sound stupid but I really felt like I made progress today. I had been feeling so deflated after I managed a weekend of no binge purging only to relapse on Monday so I’m trying to see this as a positive.
 
Oh that's not "stupid", that's a very significant step and really well done! Food rules are tyrannical for us..Think how many days there are in 5 years and congratulate yourself for going against those self-imposed rules and winning! And surviving to come on here unscathed to tell us what happened.

That would be a huge positive for me and must have taken courage and determination in spades and psychological strength.
 
I’ve been in quite a bad relapse since March and I’m finding the run up to Christmas stressful. Partly because there’s the office party and I’ve been getting quite a few comments about my weight. They do kind of range from telling me I look good, to some concern but I find both equally as difficult. I don’t go to the office often so there’s a lot of people I haven’t seen in a while so the thought of seeing everyone all at once is making me quite nervous.
 
TW Bulimia & Restricting.

Just looking for some people’s experiences. I’ve been offered CBT for my ED. My first session is next week. Has anybody found it useful? I have my first session next week and unsure what to expect and if it will be useful. There’s a part of my brain telling me things are now that bad, not to go through with it but I’m sure that’s the ED talking. I have a history of restricting heavily to now in my current position whereby I am an average weight but in a binge purge cycle. I am also concerned that if I give up control and recover from the binge purge I will resort to restricting and it will be a never ending cycle. Has anybody successfully recovered using CBT or other therapy methods? I’m beginning to lose hope.
 
Just having a nose said:
TW Bulimia & Restricting.

Just looking for some people’s experiences. I’ve been offered CBT for my ED. My first session is next week. Has anybody found it useful? I have my first session next week and unsure what to expect and if it will be useful. There’s a part of my brain telling me things are now that bad, not to go through with it but I’m sure that’s the ED talking. I have a history of restricting heavily to now in my current position whereby I am an average weight but in a binge purge cycle. I am also concerned that if I give up control and recover from the binge purge I will resort to restricting and it will be a never ending cycle. Has anybody successfully recovered using CBT or other therapy methods? I’m beginning to lose hope.
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Please don’t loose hope. I had a CBT kind of treatment for bulimia, and it really did help, so much. It took time and a lot of determination, but it is possible, and I’m sure it is for you too. I’m wishing you all the best for your sessions x
 
My advice would be to take up the CBT option and see what it can offer? If you don't then you'll never know and I imagine that any treatment suggested for you is in high demand and in short supply?

Any degree of liberation from the relentless cycling would be so beneficial for you. I really hope that you give CBT a chance and can use it to help you manage your ED and lessen its power over your daily life.
 
I’m really sorry you are in that place again. Please do not punish yourself or berate yourself too much. We all struggle and relapse for a variety of reasons and feeling guilty will not help you recover from this period.

Don’t set yourself any targets or timeframes to be better. Try to do a kind thing for yourself each day. If you binge and purge then it happens. If it happens then move on. When you feel less sad and more in control you might be able to see the trigger for this relapse and what might be causing you to eat in this way this time. All of that is in the future though, at the moment just be kind.

For many of us, this is a long term thing that will come and go and when we are in the middle of a relapse it seems terrifying and there is no way out. The light is there but it might be cloudy at the moment.

❤️
 
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