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Wishful False Beliefs in Bulimia E-mail
Blog - Symptoms
Written by Joanna Poppink   
Saturday, 07 August 2010 21:39

Today I received yet another sad request for help I cannot provide. If you are suffering from an eating disorder and want help in finding or deepening your recovery, I can support your efforts and often help you find a way to get on or proceed on your recovery path.

But if you are suffering from an eating disorder and request  instant relief from a "tip" or simple pain relieving suggestion you are asking for something I (and no one) can give you. Why not? Because Please login or register to see the full article
 
Comments (4)
1Monday, 09 August 2010 18:25
Kym
So my "drug of choice" is restricting, but I can relate to what you're saying. I've gone 49 days now without restricting, but I'm struggling with the restoration weight from treatment. My body image is really off right now. I seem to be holding onto the idea that I can have the smaller body AND all the great things I'm getting with recovery (but that's another much more positive post!). I know in my healthy mind that I can't have it both ways, but my unhealthy mind can't seem to give up the idea!

I know that it isn't really about the size of my body (as I didn't have to gain too much weight), but rather I can't seem to totally let go of my ED. Something to work on with my Therapist.....there's always another layer....never a dull moment with recovery :)
2Monday, 09 August 2010 19:59
Joanna Poppink
Dear Kym,

Would it surprise you to know that I feel joy in reading your post?

You are expressing what is impossible to feel when you are deeply entrenched in an eating disorder. So the fact that you can hold conflicting thoughts and feelings in your mind at the same time means you are loosening the grip of your eating disorder and coming into your own more healthy way of being present in the world.

Holding the healthy and the unhealthy ideas at the same time stretches your tolerance for difficult feelings. The more you can tolerate complexity the less you will need your eating disorder!!! Do you get this?

I hope so. I'm so happy to see this recovery happening in you.

Please remember, just because you don't feel good doesn't mean something is wrong. In fact, when you can feel bad, awkward, frustrated, sad, mad and not act out your eating disorder, you are on the mend.

Brava and thank you for writing.

Joanna
3Tuesday, 10 August 2010 20:07
Kym
Thank you so much Joanna! I figured what I was feeling was "normal" recovery processing, but the way you put it makes me feel much better. I keep "shoulding" on myself because it feels like if I know and feel the healthy stuff then the unhealthy should be stopped by now. Knowing it's a good sign makes it easier to "ride it out." It would explain why my therapist was also excited by my progress today.....your wording was just easier to understand.

Thanks again!

Kym
4Tuesday, 10 August 2010 21:06
Joanna Poppink
It's a joy for me to know you are in your real recovery work and that I am helping you. You are so very welcome, Kym.
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