One Survivor’s Strategies for Saying “No!” to an Eating Disorder

Written by Faith Elicia. Narrated by Marie T. Russell.

Editor's Note: While this article deals with eating disorder, its insights and tools can be applied to other challenging situations in our life.

The enormous toll that results from society’s glorification of restrictive eating behaviors is something that cannot be overstated. In the U.S., 9 percent of the population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. The affliction doesn’t discriminate against gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. 

One death occurs every 52 minutes from this fatal mental illness. Not only that, almost 26 percent of those suffering from an eating disorder (ED) will attempt suicide. Those caught in the downward spiral of continually obsessing about food, weight, and body image need support to free themselves from this dangerous mental illness.

Saying no to ED should be a no-brainer — maybe to somebody not suffering from an eating disorder. My recovery journey has demonstrated that it’s a daily struggle, something I must fight one day at a time. It’s easy to forget that ED will bring me to my death if I don’t remain conscious of its presence.

Serving a life sentence with a destructive force is no longer an option. I deserve to be healthy — mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Recovery

Recovery from an eating disorder is far from graceful. It’s tumultuous and takes a great deal of patience, persistence, and, more importantly, willingness. My path has taken me down many roads. 

I’ve gone to support groups and read books on eating disorder recovery. I journal, engage in cognitive-behavioral therapy, see a dietitian, and follow a spiritual path. What I have discovered is that I have so much to live and be grateful for. Days lost are gone forever. Each one must be lived to its fullest because I may not get a tomorrow.

It’s important to remember that no two eating disorders look the same, so those in recovery shouldn’t compare. We have to find what works for us individually. There’s no right or wrong way to approach it, either, unless it’s doing it on our own. External support is crucial...

Continue Reading at InnerSelf.com (plus audio/mp3 version of article)


Music By Caffeine Creek Band, Pixabay

Narrated by Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf.com

About the Author

Faith Elicia has been on a seven-year path of recovery from an eating disorder. When not managing her husband’s medical practice or handling things for one of her three children, she escapes to the confines of her home office to write romance fiction. Her new book, Do You See What I See? (July 15, 2021), is an interactive workbook of personal reflections, strategies, and tools for anyone suffering from an eating disorder.

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