- What is one thing you wish you could go back and say to yourself when you were at your lowest?
You looked dead. Restrictive eating is not sustainable or a source of happiness. Even though seeing the number on the scale go down might make you happy in the short term in the long run it is not worth it. Ruining your long term relationship with food and body is never worth it. Lying to friends and family makes relationships and mental health so much worse.
- What is one thing you are still struggling with?
I still have days where I restrict my food or eat “too much” and feel angry at myself. The though of purging my food still comes up but way less frequently which I am grateful for.
- Who was your biggest support system through your eating disorder recovery?
My biggest support was spending time with my friends. Knowing they have gone through similar struggles but are in recovery motivates me to not slip back into my old habits.
- What is one thing that is not spoken about enough about eating disorders?
I think there is a culture around throwing up after consuming alcoholic that is very toxic. I have heard friends that say “it makes me feel better”. Associating throwing up with feeling better is a horrible thing to do and you never know how that could cause a long term toxic relationship with forcing yourself to throw up. Throwing up should never be glamorized or encouraged when unnecessary.
- What kinds of dialogue do you find triggering and unhelpful for those who are recovering?
People talking about how they skipped a meal or are trying a new diet is always triggering. Also in social contexts when people make jokes about throwing up because of drinking is very thoughtless. Even if it is a joke its not funny to mock bulimia and other eating disorders.