OSFED

[susancoats]

I have been given a diagnosis of OSFED and I don’t even know what to make of it. I don’t know how I fit within the ED spectrum I feel having such a generic diagnosis means I’m not sick enough for treatment. I’ve tried to explain to some friends about my diagnosis but how do you explain when you don’t look sick. I’m away with friends and even mean choice causes anxiety, shame and guilt and I can’t even begin to explain the battle going on in my head.

[joanna21]

Hi please don't think you are not sick enough to need help.All Eating disorders are very serious mental health illnesses.Please go to Beat eating disorders website for more help and support. You deserve more than a kife with an ED. Please please seek futher support asap xx

[susancoats in reply to joanna21]

Thank you! I start my treatment but not till end of September. But I just worry I’m wasting their time. But also know I want to be free from the ED the thoughts, the body hate and excessive exercise. I want to be able to eat ice cream and not feel incredible guilt and shame.

[joanna21 in reply to susancoats]

Hi Susan , you are NOT wasting their time. Like I said you deserve a life (sorry not kife!) without the ED . It is awful to have the simple pleasures of food and exercising for fun taken away from you by this illness. You need help ASAP as the longer it is left the more difficult it becomes. I wish you all the best . With love xxx

[susancoats in reply to joanna21]

Thank you for your kind words and support. It means so much. Some of my friends and family just don’t understand it!! Xx

[joanna21 in reply to susancoats]

It is a difficult illness for people not experiencing it to get their heads around. I would recommend trying to get friends and family more on board by trying to tell them how you are feeling .Also get them to have a look at the Beat eating didorders website as it has lots of good advice for people supporting friends and loved ones xx

[joanna21 in reply to joanna21]

should read Beat eating disorders

[Audash]

I totally agree with Joanna and if you need to talk don't hesitate, you can write me

[Kessa]

Hey,

I can relate to your thoughts and I believe none of us ever feels sick enough or worthy of help.

I recently did my assessment as well, I was told my pattern was basically the one you would see in bulimia but I was between bulimia diagnosis and OSFED just because my binges were sometimes once a week and other times twice a week (as required for bulimia diagnosis).

The Dr was very kind and explained me that was the exact same thing regarding severity and the name was not important.

I was then diagnosed with bulimia on paper but I feel closer to OSFED diagnosis in some ways and I feel I can relate more to it.

I want to reassure you you always deserve help and as my Dr said your eating pattern is what gives you the eating disorder, no matter what the name they put for your problem.

I don't feel I m even sick and I m ashamed waisting Dr time ( I start in September too!)so I can totally understand you but I think it's just your ED speaking

Good luck for your start<3

[susancoats in reply to Kessa]

Thank you so much for sharing! And I think you’re right the name doesn’t matter it’s the impact the ED has on your life and I’m sat here thinking about fact I’m going out for dinner with my family tonight and all I can think about is what I can and can’t eat. How much I’ll need to exercise in morning....how ashamed I’ll feel if god forbid I decided to have a dessert.

Don’t ever be ashamed you deserve help and you are worthy of it!! You’re so right that’s the ED talking?

[Kessa in reply to susancoats]

Dinner with family? Uh, so stressful. But you'll make it. If it's already over, I hope it went well<3

[Hidden]

i totally agree with everyone's wonderful advice..if you ever need support..you can contact me anytime =) remember you deserve greatness!

[susancoats in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that means so much!! It can feel so lonely sometimes. I try to explain to my parents but they just don’t understand...I think they think I can just stop my behaviours!