Do You Want to Share Your Story?

(Please note post dated January 22, 2008. I am no longer looking for participants. Thanks!)

I am looking for participants to share their experience with having an eating disorder for an upcoming story in a national magazine.

Participants must fit the following criteria:

1.) female, age 21 or under
2.) normal weight to above-average weight range during struggle with anorexia and/or bulimia
3.) willing to have photo appear in magazine

Participants will be interviewed over the phone by me. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact me at jenni@jennischaefer.com.

Thanks so much!

Jenni

Comments

[Lisa]

Hello Jenni,

My name is Lisa and I am 51-years old. I have struggled with bulumia for almost 21 years.

I never experienced an eating disorder in my youth but after my second child was born when I was 30 I developed a personal affair with ED (eating disorder).

It has been a constant struggle I continue to battle to this day. I have participated in wonderful programs (Emily Program) and went to countless therapists in the past years. I feel I am so knowledgable I could write a book about it. The only thing I don't know is how to quit. I have the tools available to quit but maybe not the will to quit. I am so horrified to gain a pound that ED has reared his ugly head and won't leave.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have on ED from a "not so young womans" point of view.

Thank you.

Lisa

[LoriDawn]

I struggled for 12 years with an eating disorder. I am now 36 years old and I have been free of bulimia since 2001. I saw a therapist for a year who helped me to lovingly find the light at the end of my dark tunnel. I would be more than happy to be a part of this and answer any questions that may benefit others going through this struggle.
Warmest regards,
LoriDawn

[heidi]

Suffering from anorexia/bulimia going on 13? years now. Turning 30 this year, and still have the problems I did as a youth. Wish it could have been handled better, recognized and treated more seriously by health insurance companies. Still breathing, still trying. Hope.
Best wishes to all.
Heidi

[Stacy]

I've struggled since middle school with my eating disorder, anorexia. I am now a college senior. There have been times that I have been underweight, but last year when I went into residential insurance wouldn't pay because I wasn't underweight (though I do not know my exact weight - have not known my weight in almost three years). It was really tough because I had been restricting for so many years and after a while my body just stopped responding to it, it adjusted. I think I could definately help you with your article.
Best,
Stacy

[Stacy]

I've struggled since middle school with my eating disorder, anorexia. I am now a college senior. There have been times that I have been underweight, but last year when I went into residential insurance wouldn't pay because I wasn't underweight (though I do not know my exact weight - have not known my weight in almost three years). It was really tough because I had been restricting for so many years and after a while my body just stopped responding to it, it adjusted. I think I could definately help you with your article.
Best,
Stacy

[Lisa]

Hi,

I developed an ED when I was about 19, starting off dieting, slipped into anorexia, then bulimia. I have had the problem since then, and have run the gamut from therapy, inpatient, outpatient, groups, have conducted therapy groups myself, conducted research, written a newsletter. I still struggle. I am 47 now. Let me know what you need, I will help in any way I can. Never thought I would still have this, at this age!
Lisa

[sabra]

I am 17 and I have struggled with an eating disorder all 4 years of high school. I got over the struggle by eating 2,000 calories a day. I either eat that or less and now I am healthy. I still have an eating disorder but I am in control of it now. An eating disorder never really goes away.

[Rebecca]

Dear all,
My heart aches for all of your stories. I too struggled with bulimia for years. However, I am recovered. My goal now is to help those of you who are still in that battle. Hang in there. I know it is hard. I know that there are days that you feel like it will never end. But on the days where you have strength, keep trying and keep seeking answers. YOU WILL GET THERE.

[Hayley Woods]

All these stories remind me of myself, i am 16 and have struggled with eating disorders all my life. From early chilhood to my 14th birthday i was a binge eater. At 14 i weighed X. Then, through 4 months of normal dieting i was down to X. The weight stopped coming off so self starvation began Family issues arose and led to emotional eating, but i ten and still began to be bulimic to satisfy my weight gain fear and my emotional eating.