does it get easier?

[misspaolo09]

i was diognosed with bulimea last year. i have sufferd with it for the past ten years but i squashed it down and tried to forget about it. I put weight on in a big way. im 15 stone at the min. since last year ive lost 5 stone due to the help i recived from donctors, family and friends. I have a loverly boyfriend who is very supportive. At the minute life is hard and im having trouble coping. im finding myself not eating then eating loads a day later to compensate for the stress im currantly under. i dont want to fall back into the habit and start the cycle all over again...........does it get easier with time???? I remember how bad and how dark my thoughts were this time last year i dont want to go back to that and undo all the hard work ive done already.

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

Absolutely!  It does get easier.  Stay perservering and believing.  It will get better.  Letting go of an eating disorder is about identifying your feelings and thoughts, expressing them effectively, having your voice, finding healthy ways of communicating, letting go of secrets, working through any anxiety, depression, or other psychological challenges, learning coping skills, having healthy relationships, and finding ways to express who you are in life, relationships and work.  As you learn how to do these things, you can address changing the eating disorder symptoms.  Eventually you emerge and the eating disorder symptoms take a back seat in your life.  To learn more about eating disorders and treatment options, visit the bella vita website.  Best, Dr Patricia Pitts  The Bella Vita  Los Angeles, CA  

[Zoelula]

Yes, yes, yes!! It does get easier! I suffered from an eating disorder for about 30 years and nowI have fifteen years recovery from my eating disorder and on a daily basis I'm free from obsessing about weight or food. I no longer crave sugar (fifteen years without it and the addiction is gone), my weight remains steady and I eat 3 healthy but enjoyable meals a day. Two years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes which means I have to basically obsess about what I eat, but thanks to my years of recovery I'm able to treat that illness in a postive way. When I get stressed I no longer turn to food. But it takes time!

Especially in early recovery stress can send you backwards. Don't beat up on yourself for this, but just recognize it as a sign that you need a bit more support right now. I don't know if they have OA where you are but it's a wonderful source of support (and it's free!). Also from what you say it sounds as though you didn't really use therapy but just stopped your ED on your own. Perhaps it would be helpful now to get some therapy to deal with the issues that often underlie an eating disorder. Best of luck to you, you can do it!