The eating disorder is gone… but the scars remain
November 16, 2008 by angelique
Filed under Women's Health
Eating disorders aren’t about the past or the future.
They are about the present.
They are about how much we weigh today, how little we ate today, how many calories we expended today. They aren’t about planning five or ten years down the road; no, they are part of the “here and now.”
Yet for most people who suffer from anorexia, bulimia, EDNOS or binge eating disorder, the future does come. And for many, a full-fledged battle with ana or mia subsides into a period of recovery. However, the scars and wounds inflicted during the months, years or even decades of an eating disorder can literally stick with someone for life.
Consider these long-term problems so often experienced by former anorexics and bulimics:
- Infertility – Because female anorexics (and some bulimics) can experience amenorrhea (loss of menstruation), their reproductive systems may be comprised during the battle with ana or mia. Thus, years down the road, a fully recovered woman man not be able to naturally have children due to problems stemming from her ED.
- Osteoporosis – A lack of food eventually causes the body to leach nutrients from itself, including calcium. I’ve known of women in their 30s who have done so much damage to themselves that their bones are as brittle as a senior citizen.
- Heart Damage – Whether it’s from starving oneself or bingeing and purging, damage to the heart is very common in former anorexics, bulimics and even binge eaters. Once it’s been diagnosed, the individual must forever be cautious.
So the question becomes – is all this worth it? Is living for today worth risking tomorrow? At my age (mid-thirties), the answer is no. But when I was in my teens and depressed, I couldn’t see beyond high school let alone college. And I honestly didn’t care what happened.
How can we encourage young people (and older ones) with eating disorders that it’s worth suffering through a difficult recovery to enjoy years that aren’t fraught with irreparable health issues?
Is it even possible?
