Hi everybody, my name is Shelley. I have learned alot about Eating Disorders this year. First of all, I am 32 years old married with 2 beautiful kids. In September of this year I was discharged out of a Private Hospital for an Eating Disorder that I didn't know I had up until a year ago. Here's my story.
I was always a tall and slender girl but very big boned. I always hated that about myself. I liked the height just not the size of my bones. I met my husband and I was 210 lbs but looked 170 lbs I was very active and loved life. I was 22. We had our first child, and after a very painful labour and delivery I took to the couch. I wasn't sure what was going on with me. When she was just over a year I was told I had Post Partum Depression. I've been on Meds for that ever since. My weight slowly climbed up to 280 lbs, but I was still functioning and being a productive citizen. After the birth of my son, my weight was still the same, but then lost 30 lbs. He is almost 3 now and I weigh 372 lbs. How did all this make sense?
I stopped working, I stayed in bed, I would restrict myself of any food until everybody was in bed for the night, then I would stay up all night and Binge. I thought this was normal. Through my work I was able to go to this Private Hospital. I got the application filled it out and sent it off. They required more info from my Doctor for the admission. Basically I didn't do it and they took me off the waiting list. Then last year out of nowhere I got antother Application in the mail for the same place but for an Eating Disorder Program. I looked it over and read all the info they sent, and a lightbulb went off. This is why I'm depressed, lathargic,etc. Nobody believed me I had an ED, including me.
I was admitted in July/06 to get ready to stay for 9 weeks. All the questions they asked, how long have I been eating like this, feeling this way, etc, etc. All I could answer was at least since my kids were born.
I have come to learn through Therapy and Treatment, this has actually been going on since before I was a teenager. I only now thought it was a problem because I was fat. I remember at that early time I did not eat anything except dinner with my family everyday. When I was 15 my boyfriend broke up with me, and I started Bingeing and Purgeing daily. I only did that for a few years ( I thought). I just recently realised I was Purgeing through both my pregnancies. So now to date I haven't done it in 2 years.
I guess what I'm getting at is, obesity is on the rise in our society. We are all battling this disease. Overeating IS an Eating Disorder. Were not just FAT!!!!!!!! I think for me I always thought I was fat no matter how big or small I was or am. So I may as well be fat. I still struggle with eating and I think I always will. I have to eat 3 meals a day and a snack whether I like it or not. If not I am abusing my body, I know now it needs fuel.
Now, I am back to work fulltime, staying in contact with former patients, going to Therapy and trying to be a good Mom and Wife. I hope you all get the help you need, and recover from it. Here's a bit of info I heard while I was in Treatment. For somebody who is on Life Support or in a Coma, with all the Fluids they get daily it equals 1600 Calories. Here I was trying to either stay at 1500 or exceed to 4000 a day.
I think we need to educate more youngsters of this powerful disease, it's becoming an epidemic. I'm in Canada and I am going to try and do my part here and get more Education in our system. Did you know there are actually websites, giving advice on how to develop an ED, what foods are good foods to B&P on. THIS HAS TO STOP!!!!!!!!!
Shelley
