What Worked for You?

There has been an interesting discussion taking place among my colleagues recently about what to say to those with eating disorders who do not see the need for treatment or who do not think their eating disorder is severe enough to raise concerns. It is a long-standing issue with eating disorders, as there are far more who never seek treatment than those that do. Some studies indicate that as few of 9% of people with bulimia in community sample ever seek treatment for their illness!

So, I thought I would open the question to you...

If you have been in treatment for an eating disorder but originally resisted getting help, what worked for you? What was it that helped to convince you that getting some help would really help?

Feel free to post a comment, even anonymously, or if you prefer, e-mail me back-channel at mail@drshepp.com and I would be happy to summarize your response for you and post it to this Blog, again anonymous responses are welcome too!

Best wishes,

Sari Shepphird

Comments

[Arabella]

The only reason I had to get well was because I had no other choice. I had a pile of student loans, a failed serious suicide attempt and staying under the covers at my parent's house was nice at first but was sending me deeper into financial ruin. It didn't mean that I didn't need lots of help including hospitalizations plus partial (please don't judge people who need repeated treatment) and even almost lost everything along the way, but never did I hit rock bottom again. I remember the dark days and realize now how deadly and dangerous my bulimia was despite my attempts to romantize it. I know that eating disorders can take everything; my health, relationships, money, career and possibly my life. Just the thought of freedom from that lifestyle is enough to make me appreciate the life I have now even more.

[Sari Shepphird]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Arabella. It is so true, ther is a vast difference between the "romaticized" ideas surrounding eating disorders, and their harsh realities. Best wishes to you for your life and future!
Sari Shepphird

[S]

Hi Dr. S,
I remember being a psychology student in undergrad and first learning about eating disorders. I thought they were strange and frightening, and remember believing nothing like that would ever happen to me. I ended up losing a little weight the summer between freshman and sophomore year of college. Not too much, but everyone told me how great I looked. At that point I learned that losing weight was reinforcing because I got attention for it. Also, it was something "easy" for me to control, unlike the stress of college, relationships, and the uncertain future.
After losing more than 20 lbs from my already small frame, people started getting concerned. I finally went to the doctor when I had some medical side effects, who pretty much threatened to put me into a hospital if I didn't seek therapy. I was indignant, and refused to admit I had a problem. I also was scared if I gained the weight back, i wouldn't get as much "positive" attention and people would think I lost my will power. But, I did seek therapy. It wasn't until that summer when my therapist helped me realize the eating disorder was giving me something less threatening to focus on than my real life and all my REAL fears. I started working to overcome the life issues that made me anxious and scared, and as I did, my eating disorder symptoms started to lift. I began to change my relationship with food and control and transformed it into a stronger relationship with others and with myself.

I now can say I have a regained healthy relationship with food. My body image is not perfect, but whose is in these days and times? However, I remind myself there is more to life than how I look and what I eat, and I never forget how I overcame that battle with myself. I hope that other sufferers can overcome their fears and underlying issues so that they, too can live fulfilling lives without maladaptive beliefs around food.

Best-
Secret Psychology Girl :)

[Sari Shepphird]

Thanks you, Secret Psychology Girl, for sharing your story! I hope that it is encouraging to many readers. You identify many truths about eating disorders, their risks, and their complexity. And you are right - Body image is NOT about perfection!

Best wishes for continued health and happiness,
Sari Shepphird

[Sari Shepphird]

Hi everyone,

Here are two more posts from ladies who gave me permission to share their experiences and comments:

1) "Having family support and they didn't let me back out from getting the help that I needed."

2) "It was a combination of things, 1st treatment was gentle and that allowed me to adjust to the idea. Second, treatment was loving, & taught me to care. Third, my therapist is a no nonsense type (and is recovered herself) and someone who would not take any of my BS or excuses. I think all 3 types played a significant role for me getting help."

Thank you to these two ladies for their responses!

Sari Shepphird

[MBT Sandals]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.