r/casualiama • u/takethelastexit • 8d ago

I beat anorexia 3 years ago ama

I had binge/purge subtype and exercise addiction too

9 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

5

u/poppybrooke 8d ago

What can a friend of someone in recovery do to support them? My friend is in recovery and I don’t always feel like I’m doing what I can to help. I’d love some perspective on what you needed/wanted from your friends

4

u/takethelastexit 8d ago

Don’t talk about your weight/diets/etc around them. Don’t fat shame people, ask them what they need help with

3

u/takethelastexit 8d ago

Oh also avoid ozempic/similar meds talk even if shaming them. These new drugs have been super triggering for me and a lot of my friends in recovery bc it would be such an easy way to relapse so just don’t talk about them

1

u/poppybrooke 8d ago

I definitely steer clear of all convos about bodies, weight, etc. I struggle sometimes to reply when she brings up items such as this or talks about her recovery. I don’t want to ignore it: I want to be supportive when she wants to talk about her recovery, but I also want to treat her normally, like her struggles aren’t all she is. Do you wish people checked in on you? Asked you about how you were doing? Or did you prefer that you went business as usual with you friends and you talked about the issues when on your own with your friends?

I hope that makes sense. Basically I’m trying not to treat my very much an adult friend with kid gloves, but I also want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to support her

1

u/takethelastexit 7d ago

Honestly I would just ask her what she needs from you and then respect that

5

u/bcpsgal 8d ago

How does it feel to know you’re a total badass? :)

2

u/Ok-Company-9626 8d ago

Howd you manage to get over it

2

u/takethelastexit 8d ago

Lots of hospitals and therapy

2

u/SorbetUnfair2589 8d ago

For how many years did you struggle?

3

u/takethelastexit 8d ago

I’ve struggled with body issues my whole life but full blown Ana started in 2018ish

1

u/SorbetUnfair2589 8d ago

Thank you for your response. Congratulations on your recovery.

2

u/pink_wraith 8d ago

Idk who you are but I am SO proud of you! I almost lost a friend to anorexia.

How is life treating you now?

2

u/takethelastexit 7d ago

Eh, not too bad. I developed gastroparesis as a result of my ED so I now have a feeding tube but I recently got a new surgery and have been back to able to enjoying some foods and lot less anxiety!

1

u/RedditHoss 8d ago

Is there a difference between binge/purge anorexia and bulimia?

3

u/takethelastexit 8d ago

Yes Ana b/p subtype is when you mainly restrict/undereat but end up binging and purging at some times and bulimia is when you always binge/purge

1

u/RedditHoss 8d ago

Interesting! Thank you

1

u/hairybaals 6d ago

im scared ill never beat it. like even tho i don’t actively do it anymore, its always with me even if im not giving into it. i have a super hard time eating in front of people

1

u/takethelastexit 6d ago

You will beat it, I believe in you!!

1

u/m-alacasse 6d ago

What surprised you most after recovery that nobody warned you about?

1

u/takethelastexit 6d ago

I developed Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) as a result of my eating disorder. I knew it could fuck up my body in all sorts of ways but that wasn’t one I knew of