Monday 1/26/09 - New Week's Hope - Tara - Intro + Cycles of ED Recovery

Meet Tara!

The topic of this week is:

dolphin087
I have a question: I know that there are stages to recovery, but how have you dealt with that comptemplative stage where you are ambivalent and flipping back and forth between - being highly motivated one day and apathetic and stuck in the ED the next? - do you think it is possible to break through the wall of ambivalence, or is this also a "gradual process" that will happen when it happens? :)

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ed recovery collab
• eating disorders
• bulimia
• anorexia nervosa
• ana
• mia
• FranFromBrazil
• killthescale
• desertserenade
• tayllor2900
• misstiggykins
• Shanzeeegirl
• cavernchick
• sia118
• seratuki
• sexitaliana629
• beautywithin
• ProSetPointMovement
• 22patch22

[WeRFreEDomFighters]

Karen here. I'm lovin this Tara! Full of wisdom & insight. TY for joining! Much love, xxx,

Karen

[lifeembracing]

wow, I like the chart talking about the cycle. Is that something that is easy to get a hold of? seems like a really good tool to have. Great video.

[ShanzeeeGirl]

tara, this is so great. i'm really glad you are part of this channel, i love how smart you! can't wait to see more videos from you :)

[killthescale]

That is true, but when we are in ED sometimes it is hard to see when the benefits we thought we were getting are not as good as we thought they were, and we are already in the cycle. Breaking the cycle becomes difficult at that point.

[misstiggykins]

True, starvation does produce a high, I think through stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, both of which are raised in restricting anorexia nervosa. Prolonged, vigorous exercise elicits the same endocrine changes. Ultimately however, there can be a down regulation of these hormonal effects leading to depression rather than anxiety.

[killthescale]

I am glad you found it useful, keep fighting ! It is hard but my worse day in recovery is better than my best day in my eating disorder!

[killthescale]

I believe it is also addictive. Starvation actually produces a high, and it is addictive. I believe EDs are a spectrum of behaviors, not a box of diagnosis. The difference between someone with BED and AN is that one uses food to deal with stress and emotions, the other uses food by avoiding food or really adhering to food rules. They are both on the same spectrum but on opposite ends. The underlying reasons for the behaviors are very similar all across the board.

[misstiggykins]

Lovely to meet you Tara; I look forward to working with you! I'm sorry about the delay in responding but I've been in bed sick the past few days.

One point that interests me is whether one can describe restricting anorexia nervosa (as I had for many yrs) as an addiction? I can see how BED or bulimia can be addictive, and also exercise and SH (e.g. as in BPD). But I have always considered restricting anorexia nervosa to be more about over-regulation than addiction. I welcome your insight!

[dolphin087]

Tara, you are wonderful...that was such an insightful response. I think I was using ambivalence as an excuse to not fight the eating disorder. I think I secretly wished that the recovery process wasn't so hard and kinda gave up on it...but ironically, it seems...making the -choice- to fight the eating disorder will weaken the ambivalence in time...I feel so comforted by yours and Fran's responses - thank you so much. I am looking forward to your videos:)

[Sia118]

This was so great Tara. I am so happy we have you hear, you have so much insight. I have been recovered in the past for a period of around 18mths. I was free from ED thoughts, normal weight, the whole lot. I suffered a relapse back in 2007, and I have been in and out of recovered states since. It is a long battle, but one I couldn't believe more in. Thank you doll xoxo

[killthescale]

Thanks :)