Information For You
Looking at yourself and your problems or issues can be very difficult.
In many cases, people think they can overcome an eating disorder on their own, or think "I should be able to do this by myself... I don't need help."
Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with asking for help, and that if you don’t get treatment, your problem can last for a long time. The sooner you can get into treatment, the sooner you can get well and get your life back.
Setting up an appointment with an eating disorder specialist can be scary, but most people are relieved after coming to the first session. It is worrisome to consider meeting with someone you have never met before and to consider discussing personal information. Eating disorder treatment is confidential. If you are over eighteen years of age, this is about you, not your parents or anyone else. If you are under eighteen years old, I do my best to keep what is shared in a therapy session only, and if a parent wants to be involved, then I ask that they attend a session with their daughter or son.
Generally, when coming to a therapy appointment, people feel a sense of relief after talking in the first session. During sessions some people are worried about what I might think about them, due to disclosing information about their eating disordered behaviors (restrictive eating, bingeing/purging, laxative use, over exercising, etc.). People sometimes feel insecure and shameful about these behaviors. There is nothing to feel ashamed about, as these behaviors serve a purpose for you, or you wouldn’t be practicing them on a regular basis.
While in therapy, I try to help people understand the role that these behaviors play in life. My goal is to support you in finding other ways to handle problems and emotions with healthy behaviors (talking to friends and family for support, journaling, etc). Hopefully you will be comforted in knowing that I have participated in most of the anorexic and bulimic behaviors in my past. In addition, I also listen to people who have similar behaviors and issues as you on a daily basis.
Seeking therapy and trying to take care of yourself can help you get your life back. Realistically, do you have time to spend 80-95% of your day thinking about food, eating, and weight? Wouldn’t it be nice to have time to do the other things in life that you really want to do? I encourage you to at least attend a support group, a therapy session, or see a physician. Nobody will make you get treatment–that is your decision. My hope is that you will find a chance to take care of yourself and make the first step to feeling better.