Adult eating disorders support

[thesootherfairy]

Hi
Was inspired by the teen thread. Looks really supportive and was wondering if anyone else would like an adult support thread?

I'm 47. Have young pre-teen DC, a DH and a family cat. I work full time self employed. But I've had anorexia since I was 12. Had no help (not well known about back then so no help offered). Recently been diagnosed with anorexia.

Now face a 2 year wait for treatment.

And you?

Did you speak to the GP @frozengraper ?

Doctor was professional but busy and brusque. I didn't manage to talk much. He ordered some blood tests but very clearly thought I was being dramatic over nothing.

Hi frozen,
I'm sorry your GP didn't acknowledge the reason for your appointment; that it was way more than just blood tests.
I think we all know that it's a rare GP who really understands ED's (I was very fortunate - mine referred me straight away, saying I needed help that wasn't within his remit).

I get it, it must be awful for GPs dealing with people with real genuine illnesses, then someone comes in who thinks she's too fat. I'd secretly be the same I'm sure.

Objectively, do you know if you are over or under weight? nb I know ED's aren't just about weight.
If you're a healthy weight and your bloods come back OK then I guess the best a GP can do is refer you for psychological help. Was that mentioned, or was the whole thing just very uncomfortable?

...and just because you might not have an obvious illness to see doesn't mean you don't have a medical condition which requires treatment.

Hello I'm hoping this thread is going to continue?
Ive read through the whole thread and would like for anyone who still wants to chat to do so?
I recognise myself in so so many of you and that understanding of having an eating disorder as an adult seems to be quite rare so yes I"m just wondering if anyone wants to carry on the chat. I have no one and could really do with the lovely ladies on here still wishing to support one another. Thanks 😊

Hi Bella, I'm a lurker but would love to have someone got moral support and to chat to on a regular basis. Xx

Well I certainly wasnt expecting a reply so soon!
I too have been a lurker for quite a while and like I said what the other posters have written could have been written by myself.

I want to try and improve my habits B/P issues, I've had several very stressful few years, everything else is in order......time for the last piece of the puzzle.

Hope you're ok. Xx

So sorry been a mad evening! Will come on for a chat tomorrow if you would like that? Im sure we will find a lot of similarities with what we are/have been dealing with!

Hello,
I'm still here and happy to chat.
I'm doing OK overall, but well....it's not easy.

Still here too x

Morning, I appreciate you coming on to say your still happy to chat and its great to hear your are doing ok.

Thank you for your message, its very much comforting to know some of you are still around and willing to talk.

Whilst reading through this thread I kept thinking I would love to belong to your group of support as I literally have no one in real life. No friends or family and nowhere to belong to. But now some of you wonderful people have said hello still here I dont know what to say!

Long story short I have struggled with addiction throughout my adult life beginning at the age of 13. These being eating disorders and substance abuse.

Hi Bella,
That's a long time to have struggled with addiction.
Have you ever had any professional help?

It's a long time when you've been ill decades and hard to have hope for a time when food, weight, behaviours will be less dominant. I'm having ACT therapy which is very good for my severe and enduring diagnosis x

Once I've put kids to bed I will come back on and give you guys some more details. But I cant tell you how pleased I am to have you prepared to listen and provide support so thank you.

I too know how it feels x

Also I will be interested to hear about ACT therapy. Not yours personally obviously x

Good day here, eaten decent amount of healthy food and exercised. Bulimic off and on for many years. Currently aiming to get control of the B/P's and reduce the frequency.

No B/P today! X

Just to add I have had sustained periods of recovery.

Having two children which someone, him turning out to be an abusive, narcissistic bully then leaving him and trying to rebuild my life has led to a long period of relapse.

Everything else is sorted....time for the last piece of the 🧩 jigsaw! X

ACT is value focused therapy so my therapist doesn't insist on weight/food related goals, instead it's about aiming to live according to one's deep personal values be these family, diligence, balance etc. of course, where my anorexia is hindering me in living out life in a way that matters, there is opportunity for realistic change. It's so refreshing not to be told that what I believe is skewed but rather that some of my thoughts and actions might be getting in the way of a more authentic life. I totally switch of to people telling me "that's the anorexia talking" or that it's something separate. I've been I'll nearly 30 years. It's part of me-a part I can try to give less time and attention to me but I'm not delusional.