I really, really need help. It's becoming too tough.

MightyOatmeal
MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
edited November 16 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

I'm Michaela, a 19 year old female. I'm 5'7 and I weigh 171 lbs. I live in New York, and I'm starting to give up on myself and I'm seriously struggling. I've struggled with bulimia nervosa and anorexia since I was 11 years old, and I recovered for multiple years but recently relapsed. I'm a few months clean of purging, but the urges and thoughts are not going away. I've been trying to lose weight for the past month and a half with no result. I've hit a weight loss plateu after a 35 lb weight loss and I'm just confused and tired and completely shattered. Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs. Sure, I can start working out more and eating more protein, but I have no plan. I need someone to help.

Please do not be rude as I am on the verge of giving up.

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Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs.

    You're relapsing, no one should be giving you any advice other than see your doctor.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    What helped you to recover previously? Where does it lead you to buy into the thinking that you need to weigh 130 pounds?

    I'm sorry that therapy doesn't seem like an option to you right now. You deserve to get the care that you need. Perhaps there is a trusted adult in your life (parent, aunt, teacher, advisor) who you can check in with and talk through what you are experiencing and some options.
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs.

    You're relapsing, no one should be giving you any advice other than see your doctor.

    My doctor does not know about this and I'm not brave enough to let them now.

  • ritchiehl
    ritchiehl Posts: 64 Member
    Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs.

    You're relapsing, no one should be giving you any advice other than see your doctor.

    My doctor does not know about this and I'm not brave enough to let them now.

    These forums are not maintained or commented on (typically) by doctors. You had courage and bravery to post on a public forum and I commend you on that. However, the help you need is not going to be able to be fulfilled here.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    It can be scary to open up when you are really struggling. What would be the potential downsides to letting your doctor know? What would be the potential good things to come from it?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I won't help you lose more weight because that is not your tragedy. It's the relapse. Get treatment for the relapse.

    It's perspective. A 35lb weight loss is worth celebrating. A temporary setback where the weight isn't coming off is not shattering, and it's not urgent.

    Dealing with the eating disorder is.
  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs.

    You're relapsing, no one should be giving you any advice other than see your doctor.

    My doctor does not know about this and I'm not brave enough to let them now.

    What about calling an eating disorder hotline?

    The people here are not trained to advise you, but someone at the eating disorder hotline will have access to a list of resources available to you. They are not judgmental and they hear stories like yours all the time. Nothing you can say to them will shock them, they've heard it all - I promise. :heart:
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    ritchiehl wrote: »
    Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs.

    You're relapsing, no one should be giving you any advice other than see your doctor.

    My doctor does not know about this and I'm not brave enough to let them now.

    These forums are not maintained or commented on (typically) by doctors. You had courage and bravery to post on a public forum and I commend you on that. However, the help you need is not going to be able to be fulfilled here.

    I understand. Thanks for the help, I'm going to try to find a way to let someone know and then talk to my doctor.
  • DearestWinter
    DearestWinter Posts: 595 Member
    I'm sorry to hear you're frustrated with your progress. 35lbs is fantastic so congrats on that!

    Since therapy or the doctor isn't an option for you now I would suggest evaluating what you did last time to overcome a relapse and the related urges. Reach out to friends that are sympathetic but not going to trigger you.

    Feel free to send me a FR and best wishes!
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    It can be scary to open up when you are really struggling. What would be the potential downsides to letting your doctor know? What would be the potential good things to come from it?

    Yeah, its really scary.. I feel that my family will not be as proud of me and that I'll be treated differently. The good side of it is that I'll probably be able to get proper help
  • DearestWinter
    DearestWinter Posts: 595 Member
    ritchiehl wrote: »
    Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs.

    You're relapsing, no one should be giving you any advice other than see your doctor.

    My doctor does not know about this and I'm not brave enough to let them now.

    These forums are not maintained or commented on (typically) by doctors. You had courage and bravery to post on a public forum and I commend you on that. However, the help you need is not going to be able to be fulfilled here.

    I understand. Thanks for the help, I'm going to try to find a way to let someone know and then talk to my doctor.

    Great! A doctor is the best option. I hope you're able to get to the place you need to be.
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    PeachyPlum wrote: »
    Please do not tell me to talk to a counselor or get therapy because I can't and won't. I'm in a place right now where all what matters is to be skinny and weigh 130 lbs.

    You're relapsing, no one should be giving you any advice other than see your doctor.

    My doctor does not know about this and I'm not brave enough to let them now.

    What about calling an eating disorder hotline?

    The people here are not trained to advise you, but someone at the eating disorder hotline will have access to a list of resources available to you. They are not judgmental and they hear stories like yours all the time. Nothing you can say to them will shock them, they've heard it all - I promise. :heart:

    I've never thought about that. I'll look up the eating disorder hotlines.. Thank you ♥
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    I'm sorry to hear you're frustrated with your progress. 35lbs is fantastic so congrats on that!

    Since therapy or the doctor isn't an option for you now I would suggest evaluating what you did last time to overcome a relapse and the related urges. Reach out to friends that are sympathetic but not going to trigger you.

    Feel free to send me a FR and best wishes!

    I wish I could tell a friend or a family member, but I just can't. I'm so overwhelmed with how they will think of me and I don't want to be " that girl with the ED " :'( I have to find a really smart way to let someone know..
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I hope you will see that by writing it down in an anonymous forum like this that you have permission to call your doctor. Can you work it out so this treatment is private, only between you and your doctor? Every patient has privacy rights. Unless the doctor's receptionist is your mother.
  • littled1986
    littled1986 Posts: 101 Member
    It can be scary to open up when you are really struggling. What would be the potential downsides to letting your doctor know? What would be the potential good things to come from it?

    Yeah, its really scary.. I feel that my family will not be as proud of me and that I'll be treated differently. The good side of it is that I'll probably be able to get proper help

    I believe your friends and family will admire you for being strong enough to ask for the help you need. They might be shocked at first, but they'll understand how hard it was for you to reach out and will be proud of you for doing so.
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    I hope you will see that by writing it down in an anonymous forum like this that you have permission to call your doctor. Can you work it out so this treatment is private, only between you and your doctor? Every patient has privacy rights. Unless the doctor's receptionist is your mother.

    I can make the appointment private, that's fine. But my Mom and I have a strong bond and I don't want to destroy it by hiding something like this from her.. And I don't want to destroy it by telling her this either. Sorry, I'm probably coming off as stubborn. I'm just trying to find a way to tell my doctor and not feel guilty
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    It can be scary to open up when you are really struggling. What would be the potential downsides to letting your doctor know? What would be the potential good things to come from it?

    Yeah, its really scary.. I feel that my family will not be as proud of me and that I'll be treated differently. The good side of it is that I'll probably be able to get proper help


    If my son came to me with this issue - I'd be so proud of him for recognizing he had a problem and was dealing with it in a responsible manner. Doctors are there to treat not judge.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    It can be scary to open up when you are really struggling. What would be the potential downsides to letting your doctor know? What would be the potential good things to come from it?

    Yeah, its really scary.. I feel that my family will not be as proud of me and that I'll be treated differently. The good side of it is that I'll probably be able to get proper help

    You know what? They are your family. They probably already know or at least suspect. It would be a relief to all of you to open up and seek their support (hopefully; not all families are supportive but I hope yours is).
  • Gska17
    Gska17 Posts: 752 Member
    Your feelings toward seeing a doctor are 100% normal. It takes major guts to make that first appointment. I know this from experience. I can also tell you it was one of the best things I ever did.

    Best of luck to you.
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    GingerSka wrote: »
    Your feelings toward seeing a doctor are 100% normal. It takes major guts to make that first appointment. I know this from experience. I can also tell you it was one of the best things I ever did.

    Best of luck to you.

    I feel kind of relieved. I'm really taking all of your replies to heart so thank you.
  • Cookiejo2270
    Cookiejo2270 Posts: 51 Member
    Plateaus are totally normal. Give yourself a break. The only things that have gotten me through is learning to love myself the way I am and making the decision to change. Beating up on yourself only makes it worse. <3
  • almondbutterbay
    almondbutterbay Posts: 221 Member
    It's going to be okay. It seems like it won't be but I've been where you've been before (not exactly of course since we're all different but I also had an eating disorder). It takes a lot of strength to be able to talk to your family, friends and or a doctor but if you do then you can start to get the help you need. I hope you will be able to ask for help in order to one day be on the other side.
  • chelsy0587
    chelsy0587 Posts: 441 Member
    edited April 2015
    Your Username is IWANTTOHOLDON..... just that alone tells me you are not just the girl with ED. <3 You have courage... USE IT!
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    GingerSka wrote: »
    Your feelings toward seeing a doctor are 100% normal. It takes major guts to make that first appointment. I know this from experience. I can also tell you it was one of the best things I ever did.

    Best of luck to you.

    I feel kind of relieved. I'm really taking all of your replies to heart so thank you.

    Are you seeing a new doctor or one you have a previous relationship with? I only ask because of your age. I'm just thinking that if you are still seeing a pediatrician then maybe starting new with a new doctor would be good. But, please do whatever you feel comfortable with!
  • Cookiejo2270
    Cookiejo2270 Posts: 51 Member
    Something else that really works for me is indulging every now and then. I was on the verge of a breakdown yesterday so I had 2 slices of pizza and a glass of wine. I still lost 2 pounds over the last week. It's tough but don't give up!!
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
    It's calories in, calories out. Simple science. You are overestimating what you eat. Eat less.
    More protein will help you more for ascetics with how your body looks. You have a goal for a number on a scale. This is useless only the total calories are going to matter.

    Do you track all your calories? have a food scale and an accurate body scale?
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    chelsy0587 wrote: »
    Your Username is IWANTTOHOLDON..... just that alone tells me you are not just the girl with ED. <3 You have courage... USE IT!

    Ahh this made me tear up. Thank you ♥
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    BZAH10 wrote: »
    GingerSka wrote: »
    Your feelings toward seeing a doctor are 100% normal. It takes major guts to make that first appointment. I know this from experience. I can also tell you it was one of the best things I ever did.

    Best of luck to you.

    I feel kind of relieved. I'm really taking all of your replies to heart so thank you.

    Are you seeing a new doctor or one you have a previous relationship with? I only ask because of your age. I'm just thinking that if you are still seeing a pediatrician then maybe starting new with a new doctor would be good. But, please do whatever you feel comfortable with!

    Yeah this idea did go through my mind. I think it would be really benificial
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    Something else that really works for me is indulging every now and then. I was on the verge of a breakdown yesterday so I had 2 slices of pizza and a glass of wine. I still lost 2 pounds over the last week. It's tough but don't give up!!

    Thank you <3 I'll keep that in mind.
  • MightyOatmeal
    MightyOatmeal Posts: 28 Member
    It's calories in, calories out. Simple science. You are overestimating what you eat. Eat less.
    More protein will help you more for ascetics with how your body looks. You have a goal for a number on a scale. This is useless only the total calories are going to matter.

    Do you track all your calories? have a food scale and an accurate body scale?

    I do not, no. I'm a new child into logging calories.

This discussion has been closed.