Emotional Struggles

BrianOconnor1

Just started ED recovery for anorexia and I'm doing the 'reactive eating' (binging) one day, I literally ate 5000 cal and then yesterday just ate 6 bowls of cereal within an hour and was still hungry. It's not really the food that's worrying me it's the fact a cant control myself. Like a tried to stop but couldn't and at the end of it a sad on my bed and cried and a mean cried. No one should be crying over something like that but it's the fact the one thing a can control in my life. What goes into my body is suddenly gone. Hope this ends soon. People say it lasts from a week to 6 months, if this is more than 2 weeks am sure lll relapse. Is there anything a can do? Tried drinking more fluid to fill up but it doesn't help, it's like am watching this happen and not actually the person eating, a looked it up and people said you just have to let it happen a don't know if I can. Any advice? Am 19, male. 5ft 11 and 120 pounds. Thanks for the advice

smpomg

I'm sorry you're struggling.

I have some suggestions based on my own experience, so ymmv, as always.

When you feel like you are watching yourself binge, that's likely dissociation. If you notice that disconnected feeling, try to do something that can ground you in your body, like taking deep breaths, or giving yourself a neck massage. If you can try to distract your hands when you feel like binging, with something like gaming or knitting that you really enjoy, that can be helpful too, at least in controlling the mindless impulses.

In particular, remember that you are recovering, and to be patient with yourself. You have to retrain your brain essentially, so it's never going to be easy, and setbacks may happen. The goal is progress, not perfection. Do your best for yourself, and be proud of how far you've already come.