To Feel or Not to Feel

An important part of the recovery process is learning to identify and experience emotions.  It is common for people in the early stages of recovery to go through what I call the "thawing out phase."  Often, one of the purposes of the eating disorder is to numb emotions.  As people begin to replace the eating disorder with healthier coping mechanisms, it is common for emotions to emerge.  It can feel uncomfortable and even scary when emotions start to surface.   

Many people wonder, "now that my emotions are here, what am I supposed to do with them???"  Although it is important to experience your emotions, it is also valuable to know when to contain them.   

Below is a brief assessment to help you decide whether to experience or contain your emotions, followed by  suggestions on how to experience your emotions in a healthy way.

Benefits and Consequences of the ED

We know that eating disorders are dangerous and cause us pain.  We are told that our eating disorders lie to us and manipulate us.  The  losses caused by our eating disorders have been tremendous... relationships, family events, school, jobs, connection with our spirituality, confidence, our ability to feel joy, and so much more.

We know we SHOULD let go of the eating disorder.  And yet... many of us continue to hold on.  Why?  Although we know that eating disorders have many consequences, we wouldn't hold on to them if they didn't give us something in return.