Can you REALLY be cured from an eating disorder ?

Question

I have had this since age 2.5 and been told by specialist that the disorder is my best friend, that I have never known anything different and that I can't get better. This takes away any hope, so I isolate myself and 'phone the Samaritans - sad or what ?

Answer 1

I think you should get a second opinion- you sound depressed and that in itself can cause an eating disorder---see another specialist-someone who specializes in eating disorders/psychiatrists. Good luck and dont feel helpless-you just got bad advice.

Answer 2

I phone the samaritans, its not sad, its sensible.

I am saddened you have had someone to write you off- please dont allow them to do this- you dont have to accept this as it is not true. everyones different, and as you must be able to see, humans have a huge capacity for adaption and for change, things can be different. people can change.- if they want to.

I have had an eating disorder for almost 10 years and I.m 25 now.

Though I dont believe I will ever be totally free of it, I have met those who say they are, show no signs of any eating disorder and dispite loosing decades to it, call it a phase.

I think the fact you dont like your life right now is a major start, it indicates you want change.
Make sure you say this to another specialist- hopefully you will find less negative one- if you do have to see the same person, make sure you feed back to them what you have gone away with- that you feel any changes are hopeless and you feel sentenced to a half-life forever.
I found the best help to get a better plateau-a better grip on things if you like, its not cure but is a change, try to talk through your options with a medical person- things dont have to happen quickly- you can affect how quickly they happen and if they last.
but for your own state of mind and sense of hope and purpose I suggest you try to chang e something.

Dont overlook the vital bit though, get some support, friends (and if you are friendly with them, family) can support you for moral, but emotional ties can get a bit messy so I would also suggest a support group, contact the eating disorders association, I am in the uk and have an email support which helps, and also a councellor- or if you are ready for it, a psychotherapist.

I believe support is vital for getting a better life and getting out of illnesses such as eating disorders, this is because- as you are experiencing, you will often get times when you feel very hopeless, the support you have will be able to get your hopes back and running again, the most useful thing anyone ever said to me was that part of feeling depressed is feeling there is no hope in anything getting easier- it can, and will.


Good luck,

Answer 3

They have checked for medical causes, I hope? Such an early age is uncommon.

Anyway, yes--you can be cured. It takes a lot of work, but it can be done, and you have to be very strong because you are essentially fighting your own mind.

Once an eating disorder is in "remission", you will probably have periodic temptations to do whatever your particular form of ED consists of. That will go on for a long time--maybe the rest of your life--but the more time passes, the easier it gets. Eventually, you will just be able to roll your eyes and say, "I don't need that anymore", and that'll be it--no huge struggle like at first.

It's actually the same way if you're a recovering addict or you used to self-injure or drink too much or whatever--it gets easier, in fact, very easy, as time goes by; but it doesn't completely go away.

Incidentally, most people have one or more relapses before they completely overcome it, so a relapse isn't the end of the world.

Get whatever resources you can get, pull information and support from wherever you can get it, and start working. You've a long road ahead of you.

Answer 4

Hello :-) ! Have been at a clinic in Europe and have been treated for my eating disorder as well. Am very obese and have lost weight. It wasn't a clinic specialised on eating disorders though.

Like others here, I would definitely suggest you to get a second opinion. Do you know what you might want to protect yourself from while eating too much or starving? Please seek help from another professional.

Our therapy at the clinic was partly based on the book by Anita Johnston, Eating in the light of the Moon: How women can transform their relationship with food through myths, metaphors and storytelling. We had men and women suffering from bulimia and anorexia in the clinic. It helped us realise more what the problems were. Keeping a diary was quite tirung at times but it helps you a lot towards realising what is happening with you mentally and emotionally. All the best to you!!!

Answer 5

You can always recover. It's not ever going to be totally away, the more time you go without a relapse the better and the less chance you'll have a relapse. I don't think it ever totally goes away, there's always a danger for relapse. I would seek a second opinion b/c people with eating disorders go on to live normal lives after that.

Answer 6

depends on how extreme ur disorder is i think. if u cant stand the texture of food it can be a big problem for some people.if u want to beat it u can by letting food become less important in ur life.Only things that have a high priority in our heads will worry us.I have set my self a meal plan , 3 meals a day at the same time each day.That way eating becomes regimental and less to think about.

Answer 7

If the disorder keeps you thin but healthy that's good unless you are suffering. If you are overeating and are obese then it is sad as you cannot stay obese without health problem.

Isolation is not good, that can really end up causing mental problems. Get out and seek people, it may help with your eating disorder and definitely help your mental attitude.

If all else fails try prayer although it may not help you it cannot hurt you.

Answer 8

you can never be 'cured' from an eating disorder but you can have a daily reprieve. taking each day as it comes and not looking at the long term picture. have you tried O.A (overeaters anonymous) they have a program of recovery which is based on 24hrs at a time. it deals with the causes and not the illness. it is not only for overeaters as the name suggests. its also for anorexics, bullemics and binge eaters etc etc .try it, what have you got to lose.email me if you want more details :}

Answer 9

You can treat it and put it in remission. You can "cure" it to the same extent that you can "cure" fingernail biting. It's a behavior. You need to find what motivates the behavior...all behaviors have a reason. What makes this one worthwhile for you? A good therapist might be a start.

Answer 10

once you have an eating disorder it stays with you for life. try and keep strong and not let the problem keep getting to you. it is the only way to keep an eating disorder at bay. good luck