My doctor and I have trying to figure out how to identify my eating disorder for years and couldn't really figure it out so she talked to an eating disorder clinic specifically to understand more about it since she doesn't specialize with issues like this. While she was talking to them, she found out multiple things over the few weeks they have been in communication; A) I am in a sort of grey area and I have tendencies of both anorexia and bulimia, but I don't have either. There isn't a term for this, so they just call it an eating disorder. B) they want me to go to an outpatient treatment center like php or something like this. But my insurance won't cover it. I dunno what to do or what to think about it. should I look into something else that would cover it? My safety team is trying to help me with it. But I need to do something different. I don't think it will work alone like this. treating my depression alone hasn't changed my perspective over how i see my body. Ik i have to want to change to change, and I do, I want to be normal, but to do that i'd have to push aside my eating disorder. I have been ignoring it for years and that isn't making me any less normal. i dunno what to do or think.
sorry, just needed to rant.
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WiltedFlower
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you certainly need to get some professional help - its good your gp has been so supportive - I've cycled between anorexia and bulimia so that's nothing new - but its only by counselling that I've begun to recover - so I guess its finding a way to fund the treatment you need - Anorexia and Bulimia Care have a recovery course - try their website - that's not so expensive and might help some.
I was diagnosed with ‘atypical’ anorexia a couple of years ago-restrict but also binge (subjective apparently!) & purge but have a ‘normal’ BMI. I had 20wks of CBTe at a ED outpatients unit but because I couldn’t get the laxative abuse under control, and they weren’t supportive with that, I discharged myself!
I have a great GP and am also under a local hospital as have to have regular infusions for low potassium.
Sometimes ‘atypical’ anorexia/bulimia is referred to as EDNOS. It’s great that you have a good relationship with your GP and I hope you can get the help and support you need.
I’m in the US, so there are different technical criteria, but rest assured many eating disordered people do not fall into one label (anorexic OR bulimic), but are assessed on behavior and combined behaviors. Then you work with your type specifically. Anorexia is not limited to hyper restriction of food. Many also go through binge and purge periods. Same with bulimia: many ppl think binge and puke. They don’t realize that some bulimics have never made themselves throw up. They use other techniques (e.g. extreme exercise) to purge. But anorexics also do that! So, it’s important you treat you. Your specific behaviors, thoughts and triggers. Professional help, from counseling to dietitians to positive support groups can help. The one thing I do know, is never let anyone not help you if you don’t hit a weight or BMI criteria. DM anytime, I’m on year 27 working through this and I remember getting it all sorted out in my head was the first step. Take care and reach out ❤️
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