The moment I knew it was
definitely time to get help for my eating disorder was after I had blacked out
in my kitchen. One summer night in 2009 my roommate and I baked brownies for an evening treat and I didn’t hesitate
to fill right up on that sugary goodness! The problem was I had not eaten much
else the entire day. At the end of the evening we went back to the kitchen to
wrap up the brownies and suddenly everything went black around me and the next
thing I knew I was on the floor. Delusional, I thought I had fallen asleep for
about 30 seconds until I realized my roommate had caught me as I went
unconscious for about 10 seconds. If I had eaten more food that day I would
never have had such a dramatic sugar crash. This story is a great way to
introduce what I would like to write a little bit about; the struggles of
having and/or recovering from an eating disorder.
At this time it was really hard
to talk about what was going on inside my head, I had a hard time expressing
that trying to eat was eating at my mind and soul, and in turn I was doing
terrible things to my body. It was
embarrassing that I didn’t feel comfortable eating like everyone else, and that
I hated being in my own skin. I knew that I needed to do whatever it took to be
healthy, and although I was ready, it was extremely hard and seemed like and endless
process. I was constantly trying to muster up the courage to talk about it with
trusted professionals and loved ones. It was really hard for me to feel all the
feelings and anxieties of learning to eat and live healthily, but I found that a
great way for me to get out all of these negative emotions was through writing.
I wrote a rap/poem in early 2010 right when I
was starting to put an end to all of my eating disordered behavior, that I
would like to share, and I think it expresses very well the anguish this
situation was causing me.
There’s no surprise you can see
it in my eyes, because I feel it in my thighs,
but I’ll keep eating all those
pies, cakes and chocolate bars,
it’s all I think about and it’s hard, it’s fuckin’ tearing me apart,
when all I dream about are tarts.
it’s all I think about and it’s hard, it’s fuckin’ tearing me apart,
when all I dream about are tarts.
But eating them would not be
smart, cuz it will bring me to the start,
of this process I call art.
of this process I call art.
The fucking art of losing weight,
and when it happens I’ll feel great.
Succeeding might take away the
hate that is filling up my plate.
I’m sick of being in this state
of mind, I’m in a terrible bind,
I know I’m one of a kind, but
sometimes it’s hard to find light,
when all my clothes feel so
tight, it keeps me awake at night,
hoping I will win this fight. But I know it isn’t right,
because I do this every time, constant restricting at it’s prime,
hoping I will win this fight. But I know it isn’t right,
because I do this every time, constant restricting at it’s prime,
this many diet pills are fine, does it seem
like a crime?
On my insides, and it’s affecting
other lives.
But despite this finite point of
view, it’s the hardest thing to do,
when all want is to eat food, but I can’t because it’s
rude to my mood and I dilute myself into believing eating is quite crude if I
want to feel good nude… and I hate that this is true.
Writing this piece was a good way for me to let out what was
going on in my head and also gave some insight into what I was doing to myself.
Getting through my eating disordered behavior was the hardest thing I have
done in my life so far. It was fully life consuming, causing depression, and
anxiety that I had never experienced before. In the above writing it is clear
the struggles my mind was going through and all the terrible things I was doing
to myself. None of that would have changed and I probably would have
permanently ruined my body (or worse) if I would not have gained the courage to
seek help. I turned to the help of doctors at the University I was attending,
as well as a therapist, and for a few months I also saw a Nutritionist who
helped get me on a proper food plan over time. These people in combination with
medication and my own persevering and constant efforts got me where I am today;
eating happily and healthily and living my life!
For now I am only sharing this small portion
of my story because I would like to inspire and spread hope and for now not go
so far in depth about my actual eating disorder struggles. I am open to
questions and comments, and please feel free to reach out if you want to
contact me personally; I understand the difficulties in voicing emotions and
personal thoughts and I am more than happy to listen and help in any way I can!
live life and love yourself!
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