Eating disorder question
- Thread starter luvmylbb
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Imafitnessfreak
Cathlete
I am sorry that I cannot help you...I do know that there are some womaen here who have experience and even more who KNOW of people who have gone through this...
Mostly, I just want to bump this thread because I feel it deserves attention.
Best of luck to you...we are here...
Mostly, I just want to bump this thread because I feel it deserves attention.
Best of luck to you...we are here...
allwildgirl
Cathlete
There is no answer to this question. There is no one therapy that works for every person. It's not like taking a pill and it's over. You have to find out what's at the root of your ED before you can even begin to think about overcoming it and the path to eating normally and having a normal relationship with food is a different path for everyone.
There's no quick and easy way. ED's are formed over a period of time, and they take significant time to overcome. And it's really a bit like being an alcoholic. You have to remind yourself every single minute of every day.
And they are rarely about food, just as rape is rarely about sex.
There's no quick and easy way. ED's are formed over a period of time, and they take significant time to overcome. And it's really a bit like being an alcoholic. You have to remind yourself every single minute of every day.
And they are rarely about food, just as rape is rarely about sex.
I began counseling in '93 for an eating disorder. After bouncing from counselor to counselor, I finally found one that made sense. He says that an eating disorder is about gaining control. Once I gained control of certain situations in my life & changed my way of thinking, I began to struggle less with eating. Unfortunatly I don't think there is a quick fix. I had my last counseling session several months ago, but will probably struggle with this the rest of my life. I hope others may have valuable suggestions.
Ari
Ari
I have dealt with disordered eating issues since high school. Some points in my life it has been mild, but a couple of years ago it really flaired up after a horrible break-up. I spent two years talking a to a great therapist...she was not an eating disorder specialist, "just" a CSW who was great at her job. As Ari says, it's usually not about the food but about the feeling of security that comes from being in control of *something,* in this case food, exercise and weight.
IMHO eating disorders are rarely, if ever, cured or ended. THe best one can hope for is to learn how to successfully manage it on a day to day basis. Some days will be better than others.
Best of luck, Sparrow
www.scifichics.com
IMHO eating disorders are rarely, if ever, cured or ended. THe best one can hope for is to learn how to successfully manage it on a day to day basis. Some days will be better than others.
Best of luck, Sparrow
www.scifichics.com
allwildgirl
Cathlete
Sparrow - I also found a wonderful MSW who helped me work through some of my food "issues". She was so much better than the psychologist I had tried before that. And you're right about never being cured. Some days are most definitely better than others.
Can I add a question to this thread. Could you guys please explain and be very clear as to what constitutes an eating disorder. I have seen so many threads that cover eating disorders and the treatment that is needed etc, but I have never actually read how you know you have one.
I have always been obsessive about food...not eating certain things, sugar etc. If I don't cut out sugars, bread type items, etc...I start eating them and I can't stop, so for me I have found it's better not to touch them at all. I have taught my children to know what is healthy and what is not and what FUELS the body and what is lousy "fuel". Sugar makes me crazy, carbs make me moody. I cut out many items because I like to be thin, I FEEL good when I'm at a lighter weight. Once in a blue moon (no more than once in a two month period) I'll eat some junk ie...donuts (if I'm going to fall this is it) and go throw up. I do this so rarely, but if I don't...my brain goes into a carb induced "haziness" so to speak. For me its the only way to occasionally have a treat and still feel alright. Like I said...it's extremely rare that I do this...like 4 times a year. I don't feel like I have a problem with food, I have more of a problem if I eat certain things. But when I hear you talk about the food obsessions, it makes me wonder how you knew you had a problem.
Please forgive me if this is a "hijack a thread" type of question, but it's one I've always wanted to ask, but couldn't bring myself to post it separately (if that makes sense). Thanks guys
Briee
I have always been obsessive about food...not eating certain things, sugar etc. If I don't cut out sugars, bread type items, etc...I start eating them and I can't stop, so for me I have found it's better not to touch them at all. I have taught my children to know what is healthy and what is not and what FUELS the body and what is lousy "fuel". Sugar makes me crazy, carbs make me moody. I cut out many items because I like to be thin, I FEEL good when I'm at a lighter weight. Once in a blue moon (no more than once in a two month period) I'll eat some junk ie...donuts (if I'm going to fall this is it) and go throw up. I do this so rarely, but if I don't...my brain goes into a carb induced "haziness" so to speak. For me its the only way to occasionally have a treat and still feel alright. Like I said...it's extremely rare that I do this...like 4 times a year. I don't feel like I have a problem with food, I have more of a problem if I eat certain things. But when I hear you talk about the food obsessions, it makes me wonder how you knew you had a problem.
Please forgive me if this is a "hijack a thread" type of question, but it's one I've always wanted to ask, but couldn't bring myself to post it separately (if that makes sense). Thanks guys
Briee
Hi Briee:
I am not a medical person in any way shape or form. I have read a *ton* about eating disorders though and have a few thoughts in response to your question.
So many women have bizarre eating patterns that don't fall into the category - or meet diagnostic criteria - of anorexia or bulima (or pica) that medical people now often speak of "disordered eating" in those women rather than saying they have a "classic" eating disorder. That is what I say about my own problem, because I don't fit into a catergory. I've done it all: binged, starved, obsessed, over exercised etc.
There's an "unofficial" category of disordered eating known as orthorexia, which is basically an obsession with healthy, clean eating.
My entirely unprofessional opinion would be to do some reading/reasearch, if you are concerned that you might have a problem. I always knew I had a problem. How? Just by default I guess, because I my response to food was different from those around me. Is it Dr Phil who says that a behavior is a problem if it disrupts the successful progression of your daily life? Well that was me. To this day my behavior around food and exercise is not normal (though successfully managed at this point in time.) I don't think about food in a normal way. I am always aware of what I am eating. ALWAYS. My life is good - no, pretty great -yet compared to the average person I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking of food, planning meals, looking forward to eating, worrying that I've eaten too much or not healthfully enough. I manage the amount of exercise I get or I will overdo it. (Though I have to say that any of us on this board might look like we are obsessed with exercise compared to the average American!!).
On an interesting but not necessarily relevant note, eating disorder experts are finally starting to do reasearch on EDs and older women, instead of just focusing on adolescents.
Hope there is something in the above babble that helps!
Sparrow
www.scifichics.com
I am not a medical person in any way shape or form. I have read a *ton* about eating disorders though and have a few thoughts in response to your question.
So many women have bizarre eating patterns that don't fall into the category - or meet diagnostic criteria - of anorexia or bulima (or pica) that medical people now often speak of "disordered eating" in those women rather than saying they have a "classic" eating disorder. That is what I say about my own problem, because I don't fit into a catergory. I've done it all: binged, starved, obsessed, over exercised etc.
There's an "unofficial" category of disordered eating known as orthorexia, which is basically an obsession with healthy, clean eating.
My entirely unprofessional opinion would be to do some reading/reasearch, if you are concerned that you might have a problem. I always knew I had a problem. How? Just by default I guess, because I my response to food was different from those around me. Is it Dr Phil who says that a behavior is a problem if it disrupts the successful progression of your daily life? Well that was me. To this day my behavior around food and exercise is not normal (though successfully managed at this point in time.) I don't think about food in a normal way. I am always aware of what I am eating. ALWAYS. My life is good - no, pretty great -yet compared to the average person I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking of food, planning meals, looking forward to eating, worrying that I've eaten too much or not healthfully enough. I manage the amount of exercise I get or I will overdo it. (Though I have to say that any of us on this board might look like we are obsessed with exercise compared to the average American!!).
On an interesting but not necessarily relevant note, eating disorder experts are finally starting to do reasearch on EDs and older women, instead of just focusing on adolescents.
Hope there is something in the above babble that helps!
Sparrow
www.scifichics.com
WRITER
Cathlete
Hi,
I'm not a doctor or a therapist, I'm an academic -- so don't take this as medical advice. But, I have been there. As one who has both recovered from and done some research on anorexia, it's my (educated but not infallible) opinion that eating disorders in women are an indirect way of trying to "author" a self in an environment where authenticity and assertiveness are discouraged. Anorexic women are often 'good girls' for whom the eating disorder is the first sign of resistence or rebellion. This is where the control issues come in. I don't think, at core, eating disorders are just about thinness -- it's just an area where women's desire for voice comes out in a powerful, though destructive way. My advice would be to spend a lot of time getting to know yourself. What is it you want in life? What kind of person would you be if you had more inner freedom to be that person? Are you called upon by others to give a lot and receive less (this is also, I think, part of bulemia)? Are there high expectations either for your achievement or your caretaking of others? And are you afraid to say "NO" to the expectations and requests of others? This last factor is important. Deep down the anorexic is saying NO, and this is the only avenue she has allowed herself to say NO in. I don't want to simplify things, but I do think these factors are central. If you are in physical danger, then I wouldn't suggest trying to heal without therapy. But, it is my opinion (get other opinions, of course) that you need a therapist who will do more than get you to eat (if anorexia is your eating disorder). Carol
I'm not a doctor or a therapist, I'm an academic -- so don't take this as medical advice. But, I have been there. As one who has both recovered from and done some research on anorexia, it's my (educated but not infallible) opinion that eating disorders in women are an indirect way of trying to "author" a self in an environment where authenticity and assertiveness are discouraged. Anorexic women are often 'good girls' for whom the eating disorder is the first sign of resistence or rebellion. This is where the control issues come in. I don't think, at core, eating disorders are just about thinness -- it's just an area where women's desire for voice comes out in a powerful, though destructive way. My advice would be to spend a lot of time getting to know yourself. What is it you want in life? What kind of person would you be if you had more inner freedom to be that person? Are you called upon by others to give a lot and receive less (this is also, I think, part of bulemia)? Are there high expectations either for your achievement or your caretaking of others? And are you afraid to say "NO" to the expectations and requests of others? This last factor is important. Deep down the anorexic is saying NO, and this is the only avenue she has allowed herself to say NO in. I don't want to simplify things, but I do think these factors are central. If you are in physical danger, then I wouldn't suggest trying to heal without therapy. But, it is my opinion (get other opinions, of course) that you need a therapist who will do more than get you to eat (if anorexia is your eating disorder). Carol
I want to thank both of you for responding to my question. Sounds like a very hazy subject that has no clear cut answers. I have never thought that I had an eating disorder until reading threads here at Cathe regarding the subject. I've never thought of my compulsive eating habits to be bad in any way. Quite the opposite, I've had numerous friends who go on diets, but can't stick to them. I've always thought that THEY were the ones who were addicted/controlled by food and that THIS was more of a problem than eating a very strict diet. When you mention it though, I had an extremely controlling father and situation at home and by the time I was 13, I placed myself on a strict eating program. I worked at Baskin Robbins for my first job when I was 14 and never so much as licked my fingers - I wouldn't eat sugar. But like I said, I always thought of this as being helpful when I came to weight control. From what I gather, there must be various degrees and types of eating disorders and I probably have a mild form. Thanks again for your explanation, I really appreciate it.
Briee
Briee
futurefitnessdyanmo
Cathlete
I'm a therapist who works with eating disorders, and am trained cognitive-behaviorally. I can give you some info about where the research stands now. Cognitive behavioral therapy (which involves a combination of psychoeducation and teaching of behavioral skills to replace unwanted behaviors with and cognitive work which focuses on helping the client identify distorted thinking (e.g. thinking that if you gain 5 pounds, you are "fat") and work to change it)...anyway, CBT has been shown to be effective for the treatment of bulimia and I believe the evidence is there for binge-eating without purging as well. Another treatment that's been shown to be effective is interpersonal therapy, which focuses more on relationships and interpersonal skills.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for anorexia. This disorder is typically more difficult to treat for a variety of reasons, and it appears that about a third will improve substantially with long-term treatment (treatment for this disorder can be expected to take longer - a year or 2), a third will improve somewhat but still experience many symptoms and meet criteria, and a third will not improve. Not great rates. No treatment has been shown to be particularly effective.
Now, that said, research has also shown that having a therapist who meets your needs (and those are individually determined) is critical to treating any disorder. Said differently, perhaps if you have a therapist who you like, who is appropriately supportive and challenging, or meets whatever qualifications you hold important, the intervention has a better chance of working, whatever it is. If the therapeutic relationship is not there, then no technique has much of a chance.
Hope this helps!
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for anorexia. This disorder is typically more difficult to treat for a variety of reasons, and it appears that about a third will improve substantially with long-term treatment (treatment for this disorder can be expected to take longer - a year or 2), a third will improve somewhat but still experience many symptoms and meet criteria, and a third will not improve. Not great rates. No treatment has been shown to be particularly effective.
Now, that said, research has also shown that having a therapist who meets your needs (and those are individually determined) is critical to treating any disorder. Said differently, perhaps if you have a therapist who you like, who is appropriately supportive and challenging, or meets whatever qualifications you hold important, the intervention has a better chance of working, whatever it is. If the therapeutic relationship is not there, then no technique has much of a chance.
Hope this helps!
Very helpful and very interesting. Thank you.
The educated crowd around here never ceases to amaze me.
I believe a DOCTOR that meets whatever qualifications you hold important, and is appropriately supportive and challenging will also be much more effective in treating physical illness.....much the same, eh?.
Briee
The educated crowd around here never ceases to amaze me.
I believe a DOCTOR that meets whatever qualifications you hold important, and is appropriately supportive and challenging will also be much more effective in treating physical illness.....much the same, eh?.
Briee
lesliemarie
Cathlete
Ok, that was scary reading there about Recovering Anorexics, I am in therapy to recover from Anorexia but having a very, very hard time dealing with it, my therapist thinks it is so easy as just eating some food.
You made it sound like there is no hope for me to ever really recover from this. Please say there are some Anorexics out there that really recovered fully and live a normal life and eat normal.
You made it sound like there is no hope for me to ever really recover from this. Please say there are some Anorexics out there that really recovered fully and live a normal life and eat normal.
allwildgirl
Cathlete
Lesliemarie - Get yourself a new therapist. A good therapist knows that there is more to it than just "eating some food". That's ridiculous. And be assured that there are LOTS of recovered anorexics out there. It's a long, difficult road, but you CAN do it.
Lesliemarie...Keep in mind too she said 1/3 recover substantially and 1/3 will improve somewhat, but still experience some symptoms. If you're on this site...you must be quite a trooper. I'd love to email you off the board if you'd like, I know you can get through this and as they said above...get a knew therapist if this one thinks it's as easy as just eating. Keep posting. There are some fantastic people on Cathe who are knowledgable and supportive.
Prayers and hugs sent your way.
Briee
Prayers and hugs sent your way.
Briee
lesliemarie
Cathlete
Hi Briee, you can e-mail me at [email protected] I am going to talk to this therapist and tell him just how I feel about just starting to eat because I agree it is more than just eating.