tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3092874956801030845.post2124141507453363471..comments2011-04-15T13:00:25.011-07:00Comments on Smiling through tears: Hurtful misconceptions.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16203523458111360276noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3092874956801030845.post-61715865790974282942010-11-17T16:29:10.039-08:002010-11-17T16:29:10.039-08:00Reading all of those questions made the hairs on t...Reading all of those questions made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end! I hate it when people treat ED like some unreal made up thing! <br /><br />I received a letter from a lady telling me that practically told me I was a huge sinner and just needed to "trust God' and go eat until I was at a normal weight!!! I don't even know how to say how upset that made, and still makes, me!! And the lady that wrote it, her daughter had an Ed!! <br /><br />I tore that letter to shreds and burnt it! That felt amazing! <br /><br />My nutritionist ALWAYS tells me that recovery is NOT ABOUT THE WEIGHT!! My weight is only a number - not the only determination of health! Not to say it doesn't play a significant part but it is not the main focus!! <br /><br />My major frustration along with everything else you all mentioned..<br /><br />Amazing post!! You should write a book! <br /><br />Your a fighter!Lilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01339402871219995631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3092874956801030845.post-18226923019526980072010-11-17T13:41:52.123-08:002010-11-17T13:41:52.123-08:00These misconceptions really anger me, as well. I h...These misconceptions really anger me, as well. I have always said that if anorexia was just about losing weight, then it wouldn't be so hard to recover from. It's the mental aspect of the disease (which is what anorexia mainly is-mental) that is the main issue, not the weight. Like you said, it's only a symptom of the disorder. But as one becomes more and more malnourished, they find it even more difficult to think rationally and then it does become more about the weight until the sufferer begins recovery and begins to realise that it was much more than that.<br /><br />This is a great post, L, and so well written. Maybe you should put this on WBB :P <br /><br />xxxKatyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07411713258719842831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3092874956801030845.post-15955795368842130462010-11-17T13:41:21.924-08:002010-11-17T13:41:21.924-08:00Yes, thank you so much! This post is very true. Th...Yes, thank you so much! This post is very true. There is not a lot of true awareness about eating disorders out there.<br /><br />One of the hardest things for me is when people act like they can make everything better by saying things like "you're not fat". (I get this one all the time!) I've even had a few friends tell me that I'm small, but I don't look anorexic, which made me want to lose even more weight. (I'm still not weight restored.) But people are only trying to help, and you're right, patience is the way to go.<br /><br />It's hard when people act like an ED is a choice, not a disease. That one always bugs me. <br /><br />Keep fighting!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465017243367902399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3092874956801030845.post-45233551377369078012010-11-17T13:39:37.457-08:002010-11-17T13:39:37.457-08:00Very well put! There are tons of misconceptions ab...Very well put! There are tons of misconceptions about the disorder and you've summed up a good portion of them very nicely. The only thing I'm having trouble relating to is the desire to become thin. That's originally, as far as I can remember, what part of my ED started with - I wanted to be attractive toward others, I wanted to be the skinny ripped kid, like some of my friends, who could get girls to like me. Eventually, as that didn't come (because there's more to liking someone than appearance), I kept spiralling downward and I think the ED helped me cope with the disappointment, and eventually other things in my life. Now it's changed and I can see there are many other factors involved, but I still fear that gaining weight will make me less pleasing to the eyes of others, even though I know that it's not really true and they'll care about me regardless of my size.<br /><br />I whole-heartedly agree with your feelings about the "just gain weight to be cured" mentallity. If only it were that easy, don't you think a lot more of us would just do that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3092874956801030845.post-25920834181270070702010-11-17T13:22:08.175-08:002010-11-17T13:22:08.175-08:00L,
I know exactly where you're coming from- th...L,<br />I know exactly where you're coming from- thank you for this post. The misconceptions about eating disorders make me SO ANGRY as well!!!! It's frustrating how people assume they know what we're going through, when really they have no idea. You're right, though, that the only way to try to repair the misconceptions is through patience and honesty. It's not easy, though, I know that- good for you for celebrating each victory and staying strong throughout the fight- it is lonely at times, but keep in mind that there are many other people out in the world who understand what you're going through. I like to think of it as, all of us in recovery are in it together. We each have our own personal journey, but there are people out there who understand.<br /><br />The misconceptions that make the most angry are definitely that weight defines an ED and that people with EDs are vain and shallow (making it all about appearance). I have been weight-recovered for quite some time but still struggle with behaviors and thoughts, and it's hard to feel like some people don't acknowledge my struggle simply b/c I don't "look" like I have an ED.Boston Femmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11772762440931811261noreply@blogger.com