Therein lies the problem for therapists, family and friends, and eating disordered patients themselves, too.

I’ve always been amazed at the variety of stories and “styles” of eating disorders. For instance, one person with bulimia may binge and purge once a day while another bulimic binges and purges many times in a 24 hour period. Those two people suffering from bulimia are going to require different. very personalized techniques to help them become healthy.

For me, anorexia was a lifestyle, but I was never in-patient nor was I properly diagnosed. I didn’t get so skinny that I needed to be fed intravenously… some people never even realized that I was “too thin” (I’m fairly petite and my stature is small to begin with, so that helped me hide.) However, I don’t feel those items make me any “less” of an anorexic. Yet to some, I realize that my case seems quite “mild”.  (I assure you — it wasn’t.  The mental effects of an eating disorder are much more difficult to see than the physical effects.)

My point to this post? It’s only to say that I know we all have different eating disorders, even if they fall under similar “labels”. Regardless, I still believe that we can band together and tackle our issues so we have a brighter tomorrow.

Post from: Blisstree

Your eating disorder isn’t my eating disorder

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?

Post from: Blisstree

The eating disorder is gone… but the scars remain

Sarah, a commenter, had this to say.  It really impressed me… especially the last bit about commodes:

I was just thinking about this. I have had quite the history with bulimia and while I have mostly overcome it, last week I had gastroenteritis. While sick I made myself throw up multiple times because it made me feel better. I did a lot of thinking about WHY it made me feel better, and when my throat started hurting today (a week after the itis started) I got to thinking about all the germs I introduced to my throat by purging.

While I was actively bulimic (are we ever NOT actively eating disordered?) I never thought about this stuff – but my toilet was the cleanest on the block.

I never considered that bulimics probably have a habit of cleaning their toilets fastidiously.  But it would make perfect sense.  Who wants to have splatters around the rim?  And wouldn’t they be tell-tale signs of bingeing and purging?

Post from: Blisstree

This week’s favorite comment: Bulimics and clean commodes

Post from: Blisstree

Top Eight Ways to Be an Eating Disorders Recovery Advocate

But what about the fiscal problems that being bulimic bring?

From a purely economical standpoint, it can be extremely expensive to keep eating copious amounts of food only to eliminate them before they can even partially nourish the body.  I have no idea how much a typical binge must run with food prices soaring (milk is $3.28/gallon on a good day); I’m guessing it’s pretty bad.

I’m requesting that any bulimics (current or former) reading this post share with Breaking the Mirror visitors their experiences with the financial side of disordered eating. 

For instance, did you find that you spent yourself into debt as a result of your binges?  Or were you able to obtain “free” foods on which to binge (such as those obtained from a cafeteria setting)? 

Post from: Blisstree

The high cost of bingeing