100 Reasons to Recover

Hi Anon, 

Recovery can be a scary idea to toy with. There is a lot of emotions in giving up something that has probably been there to comfort you and to help you cope with life. However, just because you may feel like it is there for comfort, it doesn’t mean that it is the best thing for you. 

I think it might be wise to seek out professional help. Recovery is difficult just in general, but even harder if you try to do it by yourself. Surprisingly, there are many therapists that will accommodate clients that can’t necessarily afford therapy but need it. A lot of therapists will do a sliding scale, or even a payment plan. 

Another option for affordable therapy is going through community therapy means. There are some national organisations (at least in the USA) that will offer reduced or free counselling based on how much you make. The Mental Health Association is one of these communities. You may want to look into it. I know that the Mental Health Association also offers group therapies that you can take advantage of.

Also, depending on what you’re exactly recovering from you can also look up to try to find groups meet for the same cause. For example there is Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc. Groups like these usually meet at community centres or libraries. You should look into mental health groups that meet in your community so you can connect with people who share the same burden you do.

As far as your mom goes, that can be tough. A lot of times parents will act defensively, or push their emotions outwards to try to hide their fear or sadness that they might feel over their child. Your mom might fear losing you to what you’re struggling with. This may not be what you want to hear, but I think it might be a good idea to talk to her. I always stress open communication because with communication you can grow and move forward. Explain to her how much her words aren’t helping you. I would suggest using “I” statements. These are statements starting with “I”, for example saying “I feel hurt when you say this to me”. This makes it sound like you’re not playing the blame game. Talk to her about what’s going on. I think you might be surprised and she might be willing to pull together the resources to help you recover. 

The best piece of advice that I ever heard was “try recovery” just try it fully, put yourself fully into it and give it a shot because you will always have the choice to go back to your disorder. That’s always an option for you, but how will you know how good recovery will feel if you have never fully experienced it? It’s up to you to make the decision. Start finding reasons why recovery is worth it to you. Make a pros and cons list for your disorder and then the pros and cons to what recovery will bring you. 

This is a tough choice, that is no question, but I believe that recovery is the choice worth making. Good luck. 

-100RtR Staff

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Hi Anon, 

Recovery is hard. I think there is a special aspect to eating disorder recovery where those suffering have to mourn the loss of their eating disorder and letting go of the “progress” made during weight loss. 

It sounds to me that you haven’t fully let go of your eating disorder. This is the hardest step to take. I think it might be helpful to recall what came from your eating disorder. The easiest way to do this is to make a pros and con list of what came from your eating disorder. Then I suggest making a pros and cons list of what has come from your journey of recovery. Because you are struggling with recovery it might be helpful to have a friend or family member (someone who has been with you through this journey) to help remind you of the cons of your eating disorder, and the pros of recovery. When the eating disorder voice becomes loud it can be easy to forget all the destruction it caused. 

Another good strategy that I highly suggest is counter-journaling. It’s easier to fight an eating disorder when you can externalise it. Start separating your eating disorder thoughts and then counter them with positive thoughts. Ask yourself, do you truly want to go back to your eating disorder, or does your eating disorder want that? 

A lot of people who struggle with an eating disorder also struggle with self injury. Often these things are co-morbid. I think it might be a good idea to make another pros and cons list but this time in regards to self injury. What are the good things coming from self injury? What are the bad things? Do these things outweigh the pros and cons of recovery for self injury? Again, it might be helpful to have someone with you to remind you of why recovery is a good choice. 

I think for your case that it might be a very good idea to seek out professional help if you’re not already. Recovery is not an easy thing. It’s even harder when you try to recover by yourself. You don’t need to go through this alone and by engaging in professional services you will be able to examine emotional issues more closely. You will also be able to come up with coping strategies for these disorders that are specific and helpful to you. Another benefit to seeking professional help is that you won’t have to walk through this journey of recovery alone. 

While doing back to your disorders seems like a good option at the moment, I urge you to reconsider. Hold onto what you know is right and what you know if the best option for your health, your mind, and your body. You should be gentle with yourself. Raging war on your body and mind won’t do you any good. Recovery is hard. Especially in times like these when you’re doubting it, but remember your reason why you’ve held on for so long. 

You can do this. Don’t give up. 

Take care, 

-100RtR Staff

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