Someone please HELP ME

[Rach878]

Since i've been to college the whole purge/restricting has gotten way worse. I'm purging everything that i eat and i have  been doing this for 3 weeks. Last week i had to go to the ER for a IV becasuse i was dehydrated. I don't know what to do, but i need help!

[Rach878]

Thanks
I know what your saying but I only started college 4 weeks ago. I don't want to miss my first fall semester. I've been to treatment and relapsed twice. it did help, but it didn't fix the problem. I think I need to do this on my own, well not completly, with the help of you guys, and a therapist, and someone who can help me with the actual eating meals and not purging.

College is very important to me, but so is ED and my health. ED just takes up the forethought in my mind when I eat, and i can't thinka bout my health or college. I know i need to change the way i think of things, but i dont' know how.

[anorexiasurvivor87]

Hey Rach!
You do know what to do! You only live once, you gotta stop this so you can get rid of this behaviour and start your live on a new healthy and happy page! My sophomore year in college my ED got way worse, and I went to a therapist like 5 days a week. But it didnt help, I needed more help than that.
I went on one semester medical leave from college, hardest decision in my life, but it SAVED MY LIFE! Onestupid semester of college that i missed out on yes, but i got my life and friends and health and happiness back! I feel like a new person, back in college, and through summerclasses i am able to graduate with my class right on schedule!

Please think what is more important in yourlife, ED, college or  your HEALTH!? Take some time off if you need to and get professional help, might be the best decision yet!

All the love!

[Zoelula]

Look up Overeater's Anonymous in the phonebook and when you call that number there will probably be a recording listing meetings for that day. I would guess they also have a website which gives area information.

[Rach878]

Thanks....how do i find out where they are in my area?

[Zoelula]

Nope, nope, nope and probabl not..lol. OA really varies in the people that come, from overeaters, to bulimics to anorexics; people of all sizes, and absolutely nobody will think you're stupid, but will welcome you and understand you. In some areas there are special Young People's meetings and in some meetings geared towards bulimics. When you call you get a recording listing meetings but then when you go you can pick up a list of all the meetings in your area and if they have a special orientation. As for wanting you to go into treatment, twelve stop programs in general don't recommend other treatments. They also don't tell people what to do, but just talk about their own experiences. You can go to an OA meeting and sit there without opening your mouth, or you can just introduce yourself. People are always very nice to a newcomer.

[Rach878]

That i'll be the fattest person there, or everyone else will be overeaters....or ppl. will think i'm being stuipd or they'll want me to go to treatment

[Zoelula]

Any particular thing you're scared about in OA? It's been many years, but I attended OA on a regular basis for awhile and worked with a sponsor.

[Rach878]

Yeah, i'm going to see if i can find anyone around here, and i know that OA could be good for me but i'm scared of it.

[Zoelula]

Perhaps you could find another therapist who is closer. I think therapy is more than eating suggestions, but getting to the bottom of all of your emotions and you can't do that with an occasional phonecall. I hope there are OA meetings nearby, because at this point in your life you pretty much know what to do you just need the support to help you do it.

[Rach878]

I know i need to get help. I have a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. The only problem is that she's 2 hours away, because i'm now in college. We talk over the phone, and she gives me suggestions like to try and eat a banana and a yogurt a day. The only problem is even though i know that's what i need to do, i don't do it.
I can't go to residental again because i just started school. I wanted to do an evening program, but there is no treatment centers near here that take MassHealth for insurance. I feel stuck, and even though i know what i need to do, i can't do it.
I'll see if there's any OA meetings near here.
Thanks Zoelula, you always respond to my posts, and you always help...

[Zoelula]

You do know what to do, Rach. Get help.  It is, unfortunately,  a common thing for eating disorders to get worse with the freedom that college gives you. Get a referral to a therapist experienced with eating disorders and you and the therapist will decide if you need a higher level of care. I also highly recommend attending OA meetings to develop a support system in your area and to work with a sponsor. You know you can't go on this way and need to get into recovery so you can go on to get the most you can out of your time in college.