Anorexia: do you ever really recover? My story...

[@Katiesalivedoingnothing]

I 100% believe EDs are like drug & alcohol addictions. They are a (bad unhealthy) coping mechanisms. It is much harder to recover from an ED though. A person can totally avoid/never consume a drug or drink again. You HAVE to eat, you have to HAVE to think about food, you will always have to buy clothes & see you body naked (at least when showering). For me personally, I MUST count carbs because I have type one diabetes. That is how I determine how much insulin I will need to give myself. Everything I eat I must plan & think about carbs. Right there on the nutrition label is calories, I can’t look at the carbs without seeing the calories in much bigger font above them. That will always be a little triggering for me, I can’t avoid it. Recovery is never over, it must be maintained. Excellent video! 🙂

[@isaericson4186]

Yep. The thought can go away for a bit for me but it always comes back.

[@Ian-Steele]

I agree with Terry that your rambling and personally focused videos are often the best and help us to understand what your and thousands like you have been through. I know we, your TH-cam fans, are remote and not in direct contact with you, but if it helps please remember we are all here for you whenever you need support. I’m sure nobody has all the answers, but hopefully sharing your feelings with your immediate family and wider TH-cam family can help everyone. Best wishes x

[@PookyH]

Thank you Ian, that means a lot

[@Emma-fe4pt]

BEST recovery video. I really needed this

[@garryfowler]

Firstly Pooky, thank you again for baring your soul to the World. It must be difficult for you but it’s big help to your viewers.
OK, my personal view is that you can never fully recover from an ED. The best you can do is manage it in order to live a happy & healthy life. But like yourself, I don’t think this is a negative outlook, just a realistic one. To people who aren’t ED suffers, perhaps the analogy to a recovering alcoholic explains it better. A recovering alcoholic will always be an alcoholic, just one who doesn’t drink.

[@PookyH]

Yes, I think we're on the same page here. Whilst it's so destructive, there's also so much about it that I really miss. I have to really keep that in check..

[@garryfowler]

@@PookyH Yeah. Sadly the old destructive habits are so easy to slip into. It's no like a flick of a switch, they return insidiously

[@terryculkin596]

A rambley video for certain Pooky (I do like your rambles) but, oh so honest as ever. Thank you that you are always like this, honest and open because it helps people who watch because they need your advice and others like me who just want to learn. I hope that it also makes it easier for you as you reflect; interesting that you are in recovery not recovered. Take care, stay strong.

[@PookyH]

In a strange way, I think that it's only now that I'm really pretty well that I can be honest and say I'm in recovery, when I was still in the grips, mentally if not physically, I would have said I was recovered. It's a strange illness that warps your thinking!

[@anniemain57]

Certainly very interesting and all the better for being ‘rambly’ - just like any of my usual conversations! Keep them coming. 😘

[@LWHMusicTherapy]

Great video and easy to watch. If you have a personal or professional interest in ED this is time well spent.

[@isaericson4186]

I think recovery is possible similar to an addiction, but the thought will ever coming back. I think it's something I'll always deal with on and off

[@rachelegan427]

So relatable, this reflects my own experiences and thoughts. Thanks Pooky, take care of yourself. x

[@PookyH]

You too Rachel, I hope all is well?

[@rachelegan427]

@@PookyH it's improving ;) That's the important thing. Xx

[@Jessicatt88]

ive been drinking a lot lately. i dont eat food. my husband gets mad a i dont eat he also calls me every name you can think of. and i dont deserve it. . but i also have a roll on my belly from drinking and he calls me fat. ive lost 30 pounds in the last few months. i dont think he likes me any more. he makes fun of my blue eyes and blonde hair. ive had 4 kids. im trying. he wont let me join the gym. i really dont eat. i feel like crap. weak.

[@andrewmass1414]

The brain loves patterns. ED becomes a pattern, a loop of thinking. It was so used for so long by those with ED that they have this program set up and ready to use at will. The pattern is etched in your neutral pathways for life. It is superhighway. You have to chose to never get on the onramp. You have to take a different road every time. The superhighway is there. It was built over many years. I like brain science. My problem is I know an anorexic that has shut me out because I was trying to get her to get help. Now what? I had an intervention of sorts. Now ghosted. I loved the person. Now what do you do? Nothing?

[@ElliotHaganOfficial]

Cute