Dying To Be Thin...
Anorexia, Bulimia and Eating Disorders by
Sep 27, 2006
Splashy images of desireable women in seductive poses attired in alluring clothes and bedecked with fashionable accessories...every magazine and tv channel bestows us with the vision of how we should appear to insure love, happiness and eternal success. Yet, most of the world rarely fits into this preconceived ideal of modern society. Life rushes ahead with its ceaseless demands. Women sigh and control sometimes the only thing in their life they feel able to, their food.
So we hide our emotions behind our denial and seek solace in the power we feel when denying ourselves food(anorexia) or comforting ourself until we are sick(bulimia) or any combination thereof. I know. I am a recovered anorexic. For many years, my life spun out of control because i felt helpless to know I had the power to control it. Mistakenly, I controlled the only thing I could and became severely anorexic though totally unknown to me. It affected my life, consumed my life, became my life...and the life of my family. One daughter, an already thin teen, became anorexic and required hospitalization to save her life. Another daughter turned her plump figure to bulimia and the comfort it brought. My son decided we were all crazy and ate everything we avoided in protest. My then preschooler asked me innocently if she was developing a tummy. Still, I persisted in my fervent cause as it numbed the pain my abusive life brought. Until, one day, my hospitalized daughter asked why she was the one on the psych ward when everything she learned had come from me....
I was shocked. But it was true. It was at that moment I knew I needed help.
This isn't a sad story or one evoking pity. Rather, it is a call to help. I was living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, at that time. I found Dr. Joan Johnson and her new group of ABA, Anorexics and Bulemics Anonymous. I joined the inner circle of this foundling core group and changed my life. Our group put together the ONLY handbook available to recovery groups and here is the link:
http://www.anorexicsandbulimicsanonymousaba.com
This small organization has now gone international. Group exist as far away as Germany and New Zealand. Next month, they will be holding an international convention in Edmonton. The book is now in its fourth printing. My story is in their book. I was asked to share it at that convention. Don't be afraid to seek help. Don't wait as long as I did. Help is available. Take control of your life and make the first step. It will restore your balance and help you to finally face your issues and become free. It did for me. There is hope.
anorexia, bulemia, bulimic and anorexics ...
