“MaB”
WHO WAS THE PERSON IN YOUR LIFE WITH THE EATING DISORDER?
WAS THERE A TIME WHEN YOU FELT LIKE RECOVERY WOULD NEVER HAPPEN?
- I felt like I would not be able to post about recovery. Yet here I am. Our [child]’s battle shook us all to the core. I remember [their] 16 year old self falling on the floor and pitching a tantrum. At that moment I didn’t think we would beat ED. I was sure it would swallow us all up.
was recovery smooth and linear? or difficult and rocky?
- The recovery was rocky and I still feel like I am constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for this monster to rear it’s ugly head again.
WERE THERE ANY THINGS THAT MADE THE PATH TOWARDS RECOVERY EASIER?
- Having support of friends and family helped us navigate recovery. Finding the right fit for a therapist specializing in ED was also crucial. I cannot stress enough that even if the therapist is an ED specialist that doesn’t make them automatically compatible with your child. We went through several before finding one my [child] would open up to. She was 4 hours away but we did it.
HOW IS YOUR LIFE DIFFERENT NOW THAT THE ED IS BEHIND YOU?
- I feel good about where we are now. My [child] starts college this fall but she understands what triggers [them] and I’m hopeful that [they] will reach out should ED try to snatch [them] away again. I would be lying if I said that I am not worried. I am. But for the first time in 2 years I see [them] thriving in [their] relationships and education.
ADVICE I WOULD SHARE WITH SOMEONE WHO WAS STRUGGLING WITH AN EATING DISORDER:
- Find your person. Find your person who you trust and can talk to, scream at, cry with. Find that person who will fight with you and for you because there will be days when you won’t feel like fighting.
ADVICE I WOULD SHARE WITH THE *FAMILY* OF SOMEONE WHO WAS STRUGGLING WITH AN EATING DISORDER:
- Just like my [child] with ED had to find [their] person to talk to you also need someone you can trust who will not pass judgement. Someone who will walk with you and give you strength along the way.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE, OR THAT IT WILL EVER HAPPEN?
- We’ve all felt that recovery would not happen for us. Heck, I am still trying to believe it. Keep fighting! This battle is worth it.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
- This is hard but not impossible. Surfer Bethany Hamilton has said “I don’t need easy, I need possible.” This is so true. Recovery is not easy but it is possible.