Week 11 : Self Harm - Methods of Distractions

Having an ED (eating disorder) can be difficult.  Yet I've found some ways to combat either the thoughts or ways to distract myself.  Hearing the thoughts that appear when I'm deciding to eat are difficult. Or if you feel that you may purge or binge; these methods may help.

I know of several people so suffer from eating disorders.  From my best-friend, my friends, several of the people I know from Tumblr, even myself.

Always remember though that it will get better.  It may seem as though it won't but it will.  Find someone you can talk too, cuddle your pet, listen to calming music, play an instrument, make a paper airplane.  There's many things you can do to help yourself. The list below is some other alternatives that can help.

• Listen to your favorite CD
• Sing your favorite album or song
• Ripping paper
• Reading a book
• Paint your nails
• Watch a movie
• Make some hot coco
• Stroke nice fabrics
• Build a fort.  With blankets and pillows and lights. All that good stuff
• Throwing balled up socks at walls
• Garden
• Watch fish. (I do this! It's very calming)
• Make a mix tape of your favorite songs
• Play a video game
• Sing on a swing set
• Play at a park
• Dance (even if your not good)
• Pop bubble wrap
• Go to a zoo or aquarium spend time with your favorite animals
• Yoga
• Bake something
• Knit
• Sketch, draw, or paint
• Nap
• Write a letter to someone, a friend, or to nobody
• Take a bath

These are many different types of ways to distract the bad habits.  If you feel the need to binge or purge maybe try some of the methods listed above.  Some of them really help.  It's all abut trial and error, so find what best fits you.

These methods don't have to be for purging or bingeing. It can also be for self harm. If you feel the need to hurt yourself you can use these methods to help calm yourself from the bad urges.

So give them a try; see which work for you and continue on the road for your recovery.

(Picture Found On Tumblr)

Week 12 : Health Concerns with ED's

This week is a little hectic.  My partners and I have to start and finish a 5 minute presentation on what we've done this entire time we've done these blogs.  So my partners and I figured out that we're going to make a video instead of presenting a slideshow in-front of the class.

The only difficult thing about this video is that I will be talking about my own ED.  That's going to be a little tough for me.

So anyways on with this weeks topic.  As you can tell by the title, this  week is about Health Concerns.  All mental or physical illnesses come with health risks and concerns. The following ones  will be very broad risks.

For something such as Anorexia Nervosa some health risks (but not limited to) are : 

• Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing.  The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.
• Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones.
• Muscle loss and weakness.
• Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.

• Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness.
• Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common.

For Bulimia some risks can be :

• Electrolyte imbalances that can lead to irregular heartbeats and possibly heart failure and death.  Electrolyte imbalance is caused by dehydration and loss of potassium, sodium and chloride from the body as a result of purging behaviors.
• Potential for gastric rupture during periods of bingeing.
• Inflammation and possible rupture of the esophagus from frequent vomiting.
• Tooth decay and staining from stomach acids released during frequent vomiting.
• Chronic irregular bowel movements and constipation as a result of laxative abuse.

For Binge Eating some risks can be :

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol levels.
• Heart disease as a result of elevated triglyceride levels.
• Type II diabetes mellitus.
• Gallbladder disease.

Some of these may not be presented with their  disorder.  Each person is different and show different symptoms.  Just because someone doesn't "look skinny" or "large" enough doesn't mean they can't have an ED.  These are very serious illnesses and shouldn't be taken lightly.

For example : if a guy shows signs of having BED(Binge Eating Disorder) but is in a normal weight range. That doesn't mean that they don't have a serious case.

If a girl shows signs of having AN (Anorexia Nervosa) but is a heavier weight, doesn't mean they couldn't have AN.

So please, don't take these things lightly, they are a very serious issue to deal with.

For now that is all,

-Alexa

(Picture Found On Tumblr)

Week 10 : Confessing

This week was difficult for me to think of a subject.  I've gone through all the eating disorders I'v researched. So now it's time to discuss how to tell someone about if you show signs of an eating disorder(ED).

If you start to believe you have an eating disorder you should tell someone.  It will seem difficult but it's what's best.  It will help you in the long road. I told my friend when I thought I started developing anorexia nervosa.  She told me she noticed how I was dropping weight and how I stopped eating lunch.  She knew I didn't eat breakfast already.  So then she found out how I was only eating dinner.  

To say she was concerned was a bit of an understatement.  She was scared that I would hurt myself.  But I felt better telling someone about it.  It's a little weight off my shoulders.  I'm glad I told her.  She helps me now, if I go to her house she convinces me to eat. Which is difficult for me, but I know it will make her happy. 

Moral of the story, if you start to believe your getting or have an ED you should REALLY go get help.  It's difficult, I know, but it will help.  I promise.  Nobody wants you to get hurt.  There are  many things that can go wrong with having any type of ED, but getting help will better you.  It is a scary thing to do. But I promise you, you will get better. Things will get better. Life will get better with help.

Go to a parent or friend.  Teacher or counselor.  Or a doctor too.

Things will get better.  Sometimes they just take a little longer to happen but your life will get better. 

-Alexa

                Picture found on Tumblr