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Discussion: Eating Disorders and Recovery

Laraland April 11th, 2017

Family support systems are amazing -- but they dont always know how to help. What support do you have from your family/group?Welcome to our Eating Disorder Support Discussion on Eating Disorders and Recovery! We haven't had many dicussions in this subcommunity yet, but you might be familiar with our support discussions from other subcommunities. We want this to be an informative, engaging time for you. Lets remember to show kindness and support to each other. If you need support during this time, please visit the other support rooms, or connect with a listener in a 1-on-1 chat here. https://www.7cupsoftea.com/BrowseListeners/

I will be posting a new question or statement daily, and hopefully we can get some interesting discussion flowing! Feel free to comment on each other (in a respectful manner) or ask questions back.

All questions for one discussion will continued to be posted under the main forum thread that was created for the discussion in progress.

Eating disorders come in many shapes and forms, and are a chronic illness. While we encourage everyone to participate, I ask that you respect everyones experience with eating disorders. If you feel upset or triggered you can visit 7cups.com/BrowseListeners to connect 1-1.


Q1.
Lets start today off with an icebreaker. What is one thing that you like to do for self care?

~ Question.2 has now been posted to the thread

Q.2 Very briefly, I would everyone like to sharing our diagnosis/disorder so we can be empathetic to the needs of all of the room. Feel free not to participate, but also know that there are people here to support you <3

~ Question.3 has now been posted to the thread

Q.3 What does recovery mean to you? Is it, for example, physical, emotional, spiritual

~ Question.4 has now been posted to the thread

Q.4 What makes you want to choose recovery?

~ Question.5 has now been posted to the thread

Q.5 What makes you continue to choose recovery?

~ Question.6 has now been posted to the thread

Q.6 When you are trying to recover from an eating disorder it can often feel impossible. Do you feel like you have enough support right now?

~ Question.7 has now been posted to the thread

Q.7 What are some other places you could reach out to for support?

~ Question.8 has now been posted to the thread

Q.8 Lets take a step back and be gentle for a moment. What is one thing you are grateful for about recovery?

~ Question.9 has now been posted to the thread

Q.9 Do you worry about relapses? How big of a concern is this for you?

~ Question.10 has now been posted to the thread

Q.10 Family support systems are amazing -- but they dont always know how to help. What support do you have from your family/group?

~ Question.11 has now been posted to the thread

Q.11 What type of support would you *want* from your family/group?

~ Question.12 has now been posted to the thread

Q.12 If there was one thing you could change today in your recovery journey what would it be?


Discussion completed! feel free to reply to the questions that were posted!

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Laraland OP April 17th, 2017

Alright, it's time for a new question (but feel free to stil reply to the older questions if you feel the need!)

What are some other places you could reach out to for support?


Please fill this form if you would like to be tagged in future ED forum Discussions

@Anomalia @Juniter @sujaypai @dancingrainbow45 @impartialplane @Leoneedsupport10 @Allycata @TheAsh @Snowflake321 @Laraland @dancingRainbow45 @KatieMoon1

2 replies
Anomalia April 17th, 2017

@Laraland - Hmm...currently if I need support I reach out to a select group of friends or more frequently I go to the support group I used to go to more frequently. Other than those, I could technically reach out to my parents, but am hesitant to bring them into things. I need to start up therapy just because I think it's good for no matter where you stand in mental health. And there are resources like 7 Cups or other online things. Not sure what else :)

1 reply
Laraland OP April 18th, 2017

@Anomalia You brought up some great things: your friends, a support group, your family, professional help and an online community. These can all be great places to reach out to!

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Laraland OP April 18th, 2017

Alright, welcome back!

Let

4 replies
Laraland OP April 18th, 2017

I myself am very grateful not only for being able to build up my condition, enjoy any food, relax even when there is meat in food (although I am a vegetarian) and for knowing healthy coping tactics, but also for all the support I received while recovering. So many people reached out for me, stuck my me, showed their true colours and believed in me.

Rain45 April 19th, 2017

@Laraland Support from really good friends, although there were times when that support was not wanted or resented, but looking objectively their support for sure.

1 reply
Laraland OP May 2nd, 2017

@dancingRainbow45 Great to hear that your friends were ready to give you support even when you didn't ask for it, that's very valuable!

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LeetheUnicorn April 20th, 2017

@Laraland I am greatful for all the awesome listeners I meet on my M account and now to have an L-L relationship without them even knowing its me cheeky

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Laraland OP April 19th, 2017

Welcome back for today's question! Don't worry if you haven't answered previous questions yet, you can always go back and answer them!

Do you worry about relapses? How big of a concern is this for you?

Please fill this form if you would like to be tagged in future ED forum Discussions

@Anomalia @Juniter @sujaypai @dancingrainbow45 @impartialplane @Leoneedsupport10 @Allycata @TheAsh @Snowflake321 @Laraland

9 replies
LeetheUnicorn April 19th, 2017

@Laraland I alway worry about relapse! Even though I have been doing really well for a while it's still in the back of my mind

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Allycata April 19th, 2017

@Laraland for me it's a huge concern, I'm new to even trying to recover and it feels like any misstep will put me back to where I started

1 reply
Laraland OP April 19th, 2017

@Allycata Welcome to the road of recovery! It may really seem like an impossible road at times. You say you feel like every misstep might put you back to where you were. I am so proud of you for trying, for making the choice to walk this difficult but rewarding road! <3

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Rain45 April 19th, 2017

@Laraland I think given how hard it is to shut the ED goblin up, and how hard you have to battle against it, I think to get to a point where the ED is more in the background is an achievement in itself. I think perhaps any life circumstance which causes enough stress, and feelings of not having control could be a worry of turning to old habits for relapse to be a possibility

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Laraland OP April 20th, 2017

It's already time for the next question! Thank you al for participating thus far. Don't be afraid to comment on other's thoughts, too!

Today we will talk about family and their recovery support.
Family support systems are amazing -- but they don

2 replies
LeetheUnicorn April 20th, 2017

@Laraland Sadly my family has never been a really good support but places like here are like my family and everyone here is a great support! Even if I am a listener or a member!

1 reply
Laraland OP April 20th, 2017

@TheAsh I am so sorry to hear your family isn't a great support. But very proud and happy that we can give you some of the support you need and deserve!

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Laraland OP April 21st, 2017

So now we've learned what sort of support we're getting from our families:

What type of support would you *want* from your family/group?

Please fill this form if you would like to be tagged in future ED forum Discussions

@Anomalia @Juniter @sujaypai @dancingrainbow45 @impartialplane @Leoneedsupport10 @Allycata @TheAsh @Snowflake321 @Laraland

Laraland OP April 22nd, 2017

It's time for the last question! Thank you all so much for participating in this forum discussion, for being supportive and taking care of one another and for opening up.

Our last question is:
If there was one thing you could change today in your recovery journey what would it be?


Please fill this form if you would like to be tagged in future ED forum Discussions

@Anomalia @Juniter @sujaypai @dancingrainbow45 @impartialplane @Leoneedsupport10 @Allycata @TheAsh @Snowflake321 @Laraland


Feel free to reply to this post and give feedback for this discussion!

2 replies
Anomalia April 25th, 2017

@Laraland - Hmmm...that's tough. There's a lot I wish I could change about my recovery journey to this point, but right now I'm reasonably happy with where it's at! I guess I would say I wish I did a better job of 'recovery maintenance' and going to my support group at least once a month just to keep checking in with myself. And that's something very in my control, so maybe I'll start :)

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Desie17 May 10th, 2017

I want to get better but I sick at recovery. No one understands, I can't even tell my parents or boyfriend or family. I feel like I'm in this alone. I keep going through cycles of relapsing of I feel like I can't do it anymore.. I don't know, I guess I'm just frustrated

2 replies
Laraland OP May 10th, 2017

@Desie17 I am so sorry to hear that you're feeling so alone in recovery. It must be really difficult not to be able to talk about this with your loved ones freely. I hope you can talk a bit more easily here on 7 cups, so that at least you don't have to deal with it all alone. Recovery is a strenuous long road, and it's sometimes hard to imagine that it is worth it. Thank you for sharing your worries about it :)

1 reply
Desie17 May 19th, 2017

@Laraland Thank you for responding :) I hope I'll be able to talk about I here more openly as well

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Aeg May 12th, 2017

I continue on because I'm so afraid of what I used to be, how I was scared even of myself. I have a long way to go but I'm proud of how far I've come in the past 8 years

1 reply
beautifulKoala49 May 12th, 2017

@Aeg That's a beautiful way of putting it. It's awesome to hear that you've come so far heart

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SHEAINTGOTNOSHOES May 19th, 2017

Flaws and all, you are enough by Maura

As you read this post, I encourage you to do your best to release any bitterness you have towards those who have hurt you, even if one of those people is yourself. I pray this is a letter of forgiveness and healing (and keeping in mind, both are a process). To anyone who has ever told me either by actions or words that Im not enough. Youre right, I am so much more. To anyone who has ever told me that Im too tall, too fat, too skinny, too… me: You are right. I may be or have been those things, but they do NOT define me. All of those things make up a part of who I am, but there is also so much more to who I am. Underneath all of the labels you have thoughtlessly given me, is a human being. You can try to define me. Truthfully for a long time I desperately sought your approval. I realize now, that I will never be enough for you. I will always want your love, but it is conditional and that is something I do not need. Every tear cried because of something you did or failed to do that hurt me, I forgive you. I am not saying what you did doesnt hurt, but rather Im saying that I choose to be the stronger person and stop hurting others as a result of pain in my own life. Im choosing to forgive you. To every person who has used me: I know now that what you did is not my fault, even though you made me feel the need to blame myself for your selfishness. I realize that what youve done was a reflection of your heart. I did not deserve what you did to me. To anyone who has ever told me that Im not enough – youre right. Enough to you looks like two inches shorter, four sizes smaller, clearer skin, a whiter smile, flawless dancing, etc. If that is what enough looks like to you, then youre right, Im not enough. I could torture myself and deny my heart of what I truly need, just to be enough for you. The thing is, I am so much more than those labels. I dont want to be enough for you anymore. I am so much more and so are you. I am so sorry that you think the only way to make yourself feel better is to hurt me. I will never deny what youve done to me, but everyday, I choose to forgive you. Some days I dont feel like it. Some days what youve done is the source of my bitter and lonely tears. Some days the wounds in my heart ache and bleed more than other days. One thing I know is that I NEVER want to hurt someone the way youve hurt me. So, I choose to forgive. I am so much more and so are you. Every person has been hurt at one point or another. I cant control how they choose to live their life, but I can choose how I live mine. I can forgive those who have hurt me and protect those who are weak and vulnerable. Or I can let someones wrongdoing against me make me bitter, and as a result take my pain out on the weak and hurting. I can become a predator or a protector. Nobody else can make that choice for me and I choose to rise above the pain. And you are right, Im not enough. Im so much more. I can bend over backwards to try to be enough for you, but your approval has always been conditional and selfish. Frankly, your opinion never should have mattered to me, but it did and I have the scars to prove it. I can rest in knowing that all I am: my insecurities, my flaws, my weight, my personality, my everything, is enough for God. That alone is enough for me and learning to believe it is part of the journey.

P.S. You are enough.