Eating Disorder Myths

 Eating Disorder Myths:

• You have to be emaciated to have an ED.
• In order to recover the only thing you need to do is eat.
• People with bulimia are never underweight.
• People with anorexia are always underweight.
• People with eating disorders who are overweight must have binge eating disorders.
• If your weight goes up you're getting better.
• If your weight goes down you're getting worse.
• When you reach a healthy weight you are recovered.
  

Do's and Don'ts for Support People

Support people often wonder, "What can I do to help?"  In my opinion, the most helpful way you can  support someone is by offering unconditional love and concern.  Unconditional support means that you let go of judgment.  It means that you seek to understand each person as an individual.  Unconditional support means that you remember that everyone is doing the best they can, even if it doesn't appear that way to you.

Eating disorders can be incredibly confusing to understand.  Every eating disorder is unique, and every person who struggles with an eating disorder has different needs.  Ask people directly what would be most helpful for them, and remain open to the idea that needs are constantly changing.  Remember that you, too, are doing the best you can, and that it is okay to make mistakes.  Be patient and give yourself grace.

It is okay to be confused and to express that confusion.  Sometimes the most helpful thing to say is simply, "I don't understand this disease.  It doesn't make sense, and I know that's okay.  I'm still here for you."

Although everyone is unique, there are some general "do's and don'ts" that apply to many people with eating disorders.  You can use the following as a general guideline, but remember to ask people what they find most helpful.

Important things to Remember

I believe that recovery is a journey, not a destination.  The journey is filled with hills and valleys, turns, twists, and roadblocks.  Here are some important things to remember as you make your way along this incredibly difficult path of recovery... 

• There is no such thing as a "perfect recovery."
• There is no way to "fail" at recovery.
• Recovery must be your number one priority.
• You are much more than an eating disorder. 
• You deserve to love and be loved.

Our RIGHTS as Humans

  Many people with eating disorders struggle with low self-worth.  Often, people express that they don't feel like they "deserve" help.  It is important to remember that we are ALL worthy simply because we are human. 

I have the right to...

1. Experience all of my emotions including joy, fear, sadness, confusion, hope, pride, happiness, shame, guilt, loneliness, excitement, and so on.
2. Give and receive unconditional love.
3. Decide what I like and do not like.   
4. Develop and grow at my own pace. 
5. Give others the responsibility for their own beliefs, decisions, feelings and thoughts.
   

Pledge to My Body

One of my favorite quotes about accepting our bodies...

Pledge to My Body

I hereby agree from this day forward to fully participate in life on earth. I agree to inhabit the appropriate vehicle for participation…a body. As a requisite for the sustaining of that body, I agree to eat consciously. This agreement fully binds me for the duration of my stay on earth.