Eating Disorder Recovery Mindset

“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.”

– Abraham Maslow

Eating Disorder Recovery has a lot to do with change of body, mind and spirit. Which is why I find this quote to be relevant and had me thinking about whats important, and how we tend to make decisions. We make decisions based on what we know, what we feel comfortable with, and what we expect the outcome to be. By making decisions based on these factors over and over again, there is very little progress. We all need to get uncomfortable emotionally if we want to take a step forward into growth.

Risks to take in life, involve trusting in yourself and trusting in the universe. Decisions we make are dependent on our subconscious mindset, so creating a mindset of abundance, hope and gratefulness can really allow us to trust more.  The number one thing that helps change this is: Engage in positive self-talk!

The way that you talk to yourself is your reality.  Thus, your results in the world all start and end with your thinking! So start to change this up with your internal dialogue. Encourage yourself. Compliment yourself. Reward yourself. But also make sure to stay realistic and grounded. It’ll help you stay focused on your journey and realistic about what you can achieve and how soon.

DBT effective in treating Eating Disorders?

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is an effective recovery tool that helps women realize their potential to create a meaningful life for themselves, regardless of challenges they have experienced in the past. They are supported in this pursuit through education and practice of recovery skills when confronted with:

• difficult, overwhelming emotions

• invalidating environments

• problematic thinking patterns

• old, destructive ways of living

Dialectical behavioral therapy is a form of integrated treatment combining behavioral, cognitive, and supportive therapies. Developed to address complex mood and personality disorders, DBT is especially effective in treating persons who have suffered repeated relapses of self mutilation, eating disorders, co-occurring psychiatric illnesses, or addiction.

By focusing on both the behaviors and the feelings with specific skills provided change can occur. Read this article to find out more.

https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/types-of-treatments/dialectical-behavioral-therapy-dbt/vs-cbt

Thoughts in Recovery

I haven't shared 100% with the readers of this blog about my own struggles. For about 12 years on a daily basis I struggled with the feelings of "I'm not worth it", "I don't deserve love", "I'm gross", "I must be perfect", "I hate myself and my body", "I'm not good enough", to name a few.

Today's struggles aren't so deeply engrained and they still have power. I experienced an emotionally difficult day yesterday. It all started with this feeling of not being "where I want to be", and then escalated when I saw a cute picture of a friend on Facebook. My immediate thought was "F**K!, I'm disgusting compared to her, she looks so fit and cute in that picture. If only I could..... I would be..... I should....." The cycle of negative thoughts continued for the next few hours. They began to get darker, and my emotions continued to escalate.

I utilized some of my coping skills such as taking a walk, attempting positive affirmations, and talking about it. They did seem to help overtime, but they were not an immediate fix. I sat in those emotions and thoughts, trying my very bets to hold on to my recovery. Sometimes I think the fear of falling back into my old behaviors is just as strong as the feelings of being in the behavior.

When someone gives me a suggestion, I shoot it down, I avoid their advice because I think to myself, if I try to do something different than what led me into recovery I am opening myself up to relapse. Then with further reflection, perhaps its just my fear of change, my fear of I could "loose control", and I feel like I have control in my recovery.... Wait, did I just think that? Isn't letting go of control a part of healing?

Just being there in that thought reminds me once again, that RECOVERY isn't an accomplishment, its a life long practice.

So with that said, last night I went to bed that night reminding myself that I am doing the best I can, and that there is more power in being creative than in being "perfect".