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Related
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Recovery
& how to help
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Members’
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 Anorexia explained
Signs and symptoms
Related issues
Help, it sounds like me!
Associated dangers
Treatment for anorexia
Recovery and getting help
You are not alone
According to the British Medical Association, 90 – 95%
of people suffering from anorexia go on to recovery.
If you are currently suffering from anorexia, please
remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are many people
who for a long time believed they were the only ones
who were suffering in this way and were so relieved
to find others who had similar experiences.
There is lots of help available
You may be reading this page wondering if you have anorexia.
After all, it can seem like one of those things which
only happens to other people. However, anorexia can
affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender or race.
It is nothing to be ashamed of and you do not have to
suffer alone. On Pale Reflections you will find hints
and tips on beginning the
recovery process, a treatment
finder and, if you are a member, you are able to
search for other members
who have similar experiences and issues as yourself.
How can I live without anorexia?
An eating disorder can seem like a vicious circle, where
living with anorexia is scary but the thought of living
without it is even worse. Do not despair – lots of people
HAVE recovered from anorexia and YOU can too. Anorexia
is a way of coping, a way of dealing with life by controlling
your body and your food intake. You may believe you
can stop at any time, that you are not really anorexic
because you don’t meet all of the diagnostic
criteria or aren’t "thin enough". Try
eating three meals a day for a week (without purging
– that would be cheating!) and then ask yourself, "Do
I control it or does it control me?"
Anorexia is an addiction, therefore like any addiction
it can be treated. Fortunately, the days where doctors
treated only the physical aspects of the illness are
largely behind us. Sure, your physical wellbeing is
important, but it’s the psychological reasons behind
an eating disorder which need to be addressed. Nowadays,
doctors will concentrate on BOTH the physical AND the
psychological aspects of anorexia. In theory, if you
start to feel better about yourself with improved self-esteem,
you will become less dependent on your eating disorder
and less focused on food.
I couldn’t possibly tell anybody I’m anorexic…
Telling someone about your eating disorder is scary.
After all, it’s YOUR secret and YOUR friend and YOUR
way of coping. You may think that people will try to
take it away from you, leaving you without a way to
cope. You may also be afraid of being forced to eat
and get better when perhaps you’re not ready yet. The
most important thing to remember is that it’s your decision
to confide in someone, therefore it should also be your
decision to start the recovery process.
Telling somebody about your anorexia does NOT mean
you have to eat more and it does NOT mean you will need
to find other ways to cope. Confiding in a friend or
a family member can lift a huge burden from your shoulders.
Just having someone to talk to about things can be a
big relief. You will find lots of support here and you
can find other members
to email so you can share your experiences. Break the
silence – other people really HAVE been through what
you are going through now.
Go on to associated dangers
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Membership