Thanksgiving gratitude and a little angst...:)

Important Notice to All Bloggers -- Please Read.

Hello Ladies,

Thank you for your insightful posts, honesty and obvious hard work on recovery!

Please be careful to be gentle with each other. It is very easy for misunderstanding to occur on blogs, emails, etc. since we cannot hear the tone of voice, see the facial expressions or body language.

Try to stay focused on what is going on with you, not others. Offer support, but please direct concerns to the individual directly(if their email is provided) or to me as the Blog moderator: jacquelyn@eatingdisorderhope.com.

Most of the blogs are wonderfully encouraging and helpful. Thank you for helping to create a safe and healing place on this blog.

Sincerely,


Jacquelyn Ekern

Checking In...

Hi Ladies!
Here is a great place to check in with whatever you would like to share or blog about! Take care! - Jacquelyn

Nutrition

Hello Ladies,
Here is a place to blog about your meal plans, nutrition, how you are doing with it all.....ask for support....encouragement....etc......Please remember to be pro-recovery in your post...

Perfectionism...

"Excessive striving to be perfect will invariably lead to disillusionment, heartache, and self-hatred"...Albert Ellis

Perfectionism fits the personality profile of women struggling with eating disorders, in most cases, and is already present prior to developing the eating disorder. It is complex -- tied to a strong need for approval from others to feel good about oneself. Now, we all know that is a rollercoaster ride, right? Being dependent on our performance, appearance, accolades from others, etc. sets us up to never feel secure in ourselves just for being our wonderful unique selves! What do you think about this? How have you struggled with expecting perfection from yourself?
How has it hindered you? How do you combat perfectionistic thinking with more reasonable expectations of yourself?

Appreciating the Positive in Our Lives....

Hi Ladies. I really have struggled with maintaining a rational, positive outlook at times in my life. It seemed to be very related to the eating disorder -- sort of an overall negative outlook on life. I have a long way to go, but learning to appreciate the positive things in my life has added to it's quality and the richness of my experience...Any thoughts on this?


Amanda - Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress. We miss you. College is such a big change...so much independence -- so quickly. It is a lot to process, not to mention all the hard work, needed time management, etc...It is okay to feel overwhelmed by it -- I think a lot of college freshman do--and venting here is a great outlet for growth. One of our dearly loved group members recently said that she is trying to say one positive thing for every negative thing that she says....I was really inspired by that...it seems that a big part of eating disorder recovery is becoming more aware of the positives in our lives and focusing on that more than the negative....easier said than done, I know....I am working on this skill though, and trying to see more of the positives in my life....the payoff is I feel better and life is more tolerable, even pretty darn good at times.....want to pal up with this group member and me and try this out with us. It is simple -- we say one positive thing for every negative thing.....??? Anyone else game to try this out?

Jamie- You are so supportive and kind spirited in the way you relate to others. I watch you and listen to you in group and am amazed at the depth of your sensitivity toward others. Also, you are so soothing and encouraging and accepting when others express their pain....what a lovely, lovely, lovely soul you have!

Celia- You have obviously done a lot of hard work to have the recovery that you have! It is so exciting and encouraging to see! You said " I hate being a burden. The benefits of actually telling someone are worth the risk though. I think a huge part of recovery is being vulnerable with someone we trust, meaning letting out the pain and darkness that is in us. I think a person has to be emotionally mature and stable to be able to listen"...........Wow, that is beautifully said, and I agree entirely!! Being heard for who we actually are, accepted for who we actually are and even loved for that, worts and all, is so healing....so healing that it is worth the risk to lower that mask with safe people and allow them to see who we really are....

Jeanette - I hope that you are continuing to take care of yourself and resting. Have you broken out those new dishes yet? :) It was nice to have you back in group last Wed. night....I have missed you and your wealth of experience and insight that adds so much to the group.

Warmly,

Jacquelyn

Risks of Sharing Ourselves with others....

Hi. I am wondering what you all consider to be the benefits of sharing your thoughts and feelings with others? What are the drawbacks? How do you determine if another person is emotionally safe to share more personal aspects of your inner life with? What about trusting others to keep your confidences? What if they they "think less of you" because you shared aspects of yourself that expose your humaness and/or needs?

I am impressed with the honesty and genuine sharing that has gone on in the Eating Disorder Hope support groups. It takes courage to be vulnerable to others, to share what is troubling us and let it out....it feels good to unburden ourselves and to experience loving acceptance of us and our unique perspective on life....

What do you all think? Any and all visitors are welcome to comment.

Warmly,

Jacquelyn
Founder of Eating Disorder Hope

Bye to our Dear Meagan

Bye for now, but we are hoping you will come back and visit us often and also blog with us.....you know, "let er rip" here......you can post anonymously and give us fun clues as to who you are............or just tell it like it is and not worry about it....
You have been such a wonderful group member, we will miss you and all that laughter and life you bring to the group.
warmly,
j.

Inpatient and Intensive Outpatient Treatment...

Welcome back to the Blog, Jeanette!~ We have missed you! I just sent you a card yesterday, hopefully it finds it's way to you in outpatient treatment. I received your letter yesterday. Thank you for writing. I appreciate your candor and openness.
It is difficult to recover, and stats show that the longer one has been struggling with ED, often the longer and harder it is to recover.......so be patient with yourself....you are trying..........you are a wonderful person and are not defined by your eating disorder..........it is just one facet of you that you are addressing and working on healing.....I admire your commitment to doing what you need to do to seek recovery, ie: group, treatment, therapy, etc....You are doing good work, and it does not have to be perfect.
Hang in there with treatment and give it all you got, Girl!

Jacquelyn

p.s. anyone else out there have thoughts regarding inpatient and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment?

Ramifications of Laxative Abuse...

Last night, at the EDH recovery group, we discussed the physical ramifications of having abused laxatives....Bloating & constipation are some of the uncomfortable results of coming off laxatives....What do y'all think about this topic? Any experience with recovery from laxative abuse to encourage others suffering through the consequences and coming off laxatives? Please be careful to share constructively and not pass on unhealthy tips to others who might be vulnerable to suggestion.
But, do share your experience and what has helped you to get past the abuse of laxatives....
thanks.
Jacquelyn