Read on Twitter
ED recovery is not a quick process, it’s a lifelong commitment.
I’m going to put some of my experiences in a thread below.
I’m going to put some of my experiences in a thread below.
It’s difficult: anyone who shows only the up sides of recovery isn’t telling the story, or they aren’t recovering. Recovery is full of hard emotions, anxiety, and fear. It’s ugly.
It’s not linear:
There will be times you think you are smashing it followed by long periods of treading water, mustering up the courage to push again.
There will be times you think you are smashing it followed by long periods of treading water, mustering up the courage to push again.
The “wins” aren’t what you may think:
A win for ED recovery may be something big like going out for a meal, but for others just following their meal plan is a massive win, or having a snack you enjoy.
A win for ED recovery may be something big like going out for a meal, but for others just following their meal plan is a massive win, or having a snack you enjoy.
It’s scary:
Even following meal plans can be incredibly scary. Every meal, every snack, every time your brain is telling you to exercise/purge/do unhealthy behaviours, you have to fight a massive, overwhelming fear.
Even following meal plans can be incredibly scary. Every meal, every snack, every time your brain is telling you to exercise/purge/do unhealthy behaviours, you have to fight a massive, overwhelming fear.
Discomfort should be constant:
To really recover, a constant state of discomfort is needed, pushing yourself every moment of every day.
To really recover, a constant state of discomfort is needed, pushing yourself every moment of every day.
It’s exhausting:
It’s like having a full time job in your mind. Recovery is very, very tiring both physically and emotionally.
It’s like having a full time job in your mind. Recovery is very, very tiring both physically and emotionally.
The bloating:
This is a personal one but I know similar to others. The bloating is awful, but the only way to beat it is to keep going.
This is a personal one but I know similar to others. The bloating is awful, but the only way to beat it is to keep going.
The physical pain:
Again, recovery causes weird and wonderful things to happen, it’s key to understand that this is a normal part of recovery.
Again, recovery causes weird and wonderful things to happen, it’s key to understand that this is a normal part of recovery.
There’s lots of stalling:
ED has a great way of saying “I’ll start tomorrow”, which can lead to weeks of purgatory, in a pseudo state where you want to push but don’t feel able to.
ED has a great way of saying “I’ll start tomorrow”, which can lead to weeks of purgatory, in a pseudo state where you want to push but don’t feel able to.
Weight does not mean recovery.
The true recovery is in the mind, your feeling and actions. If you still feel anxious around food, you need to keep pushing. Whether you are in a smaller or larger body your illness is just as valid.
The true recovery is in the mind, your feeling and actions. If you still feel anxious around food, you need to keep pushing. Whether you are in a smaller or larger body your illness is just as valid.
Following on: don’t restrict, ever:
No matter what anyone says, restriction is never the way forward. Ignore the scales, your body will normalise over time.
No matter what anyone says, restriction is never the way forward. Ignore the scales, your body will normalise over time.
Education is key:
For me, knowing how my body and mind will react is key to keep me going, knowing what I’m going through is normal.
For me, knowing how my body and mind will react is key to keep me going, knowing what I’m going through is normal.
It is possible:
No matter how long you’ve been ill for, ow how long it takes to recover, you can get there.
No matter how long you’ve been ill for, ow how long it takes to recover, you can get there.
Recovery is a lifelong commitment:
Even when recovered, it’s essential to not slip back into any form of unhealthy behaviours again. Recovery is a lifelong commitment to yourself to free yourself from ED.
Even when recovered, it’s essential to not slip back into any form of unhealthy behaviours again. Recovery is a lifelong commitment to yourself to free yourself from ED.
However, relapses may happen:
That’s okay, it’s a normal part of recovery and you just weren’t in quite tells right place at that moment in time. Don’t let it make you lose hope, just go again when you’re ready.
That’s okay, it’s a normal part of recovery and you just weren’t in quite tells right place at that moment in time. Don’t let it make you lose hope, just go again when you’re ready.
Don’t let your ED tel you it’s the only way:
There is a better life out there, that isn’t dictated by food.
There is a better life out there, that isn’t dictated by food.
Never think you’re too far gone:
That’s not true, with the right support at the right time, ANYONE can recover.
That’s not true, with the right support at the right time, ANYONE can recover.
Recovery means different things to different people:
For some, it is complete freedom, for others it is being able to live happily and healthily. Everyone’s different and it’s ultimately about quality of life.
For some, it is complete freedom, for others it is being able to live happily and healthily. Everyone’s different and it’s ultimately about quality of life.
Don’t be stubborn:
I spent years thinking I could do it myself. I couldn’t. Use support if you can as it really does make a massive difference.
I spent years thinking I could do it myself. I couldn’t. Use support if you can as it really does make a massive difference.
Never give up:
Look at the life you want without your ED, go chase it, fight for it and you can get there. It will 100% be worth it.
Look at the life you want without your ED, go chase it, fight for it and you can get there. It will 100% be worth it.
It will be worth it:
No more really needs saying on that one!
No more really needs saying on that one!
Finally, you u are worthy of recovery!
It will be hard, ugly, painful, scary, and full of ups, downs and everything in between, but you will be able to do it, have faith and have confidence in yourself.
You are worth recovery and you are worth a happy and healthy life.
It will be hard, ugly, painful, scary, and full of ups, downs and everything in between, but you will be able to do it, have faith and have confidence in yourself.
You are worth recovery and you are worth a happy and healthy life.
