Just curious about some other experiences with therapy. The therapist I i see is not an eating disorder specialist, but I like her and how she approaches my issues. Whatever she is doing seems to agree with me. I say that because, I have not binged uncontrollably since I've returned home from visiting my parents (who are extremely triggering for me) at the end of March.

She focuses on my life and the root of the problems, because I'm pretty sure this is common knowledge in the ED community, that the problem is not eating, or dieting....the problem is much deeper and in my case it's my parents, self esteem, self image.

Anyhoo, my self esteem is slowly returning. As a positive side effect I have dropped a few pounds, I've been excercising and things just seem to be going really well right now. I hope that when things take a turn, which I'm sure they will because such is life, that I will be able to deal with things in a more healthy manner and not revert to the things (bingeing and overeating) that are destructive and harmful to my well being.

Thanks for listening and any feedback!

Yay for you! You sounds so positive and happy! Keep up the good work, you deserve to feel good about yourself!

Mammasita, we've missed you!

I have a psychiatrist. I've been seeing him for about three years, and he is WONDERFUL!! He's not one of those who just sits and listens... he actually provides me with feedback on what I'm saying, and that's what I need.
I've tried a couple of times to raise the issue of my eating disorder, but he doesn't seem that interested in my eating. Only what's going on BEHIND the eating. As you said, the problem is much deeper.

I'm so glad to hear you've got a therapist you like. It's not easy to find a good one. And congratulations on your exercise and weight loss!!

I can definitely relate to your therapist not focusing so much on the eating. I think its better, for me at least, this way. Congrats to you too!

I'm sorry, I don't have any experience with a therapist, but I'm definitely a future patient. I'm not ready to deal with my plethora of neuroses as of yet. I'm going to form a group, the FPPOA (future psychiatric patients of america).

Hi!

Ok, experiences with therapies: 2 1/2 years ago I first spent 3 months in a psychiatric hospital for detox etc.. It helped me a lot, I nearly didnīt binge that time and lost a lot of weight.
After that I went to a rehab center. It was said that they would work with me on my ED problem. But somehow it never happend. It was a weird therapy (bonding- therapy, anyone?), I am glad that it didnīt brought me back to an imediate relaps with boozing.
All they said me about my ED was: You are just allowed to eat three meals a day here. That was my ED therapy. No talks about my ED. Nothing.
I ate so much three times a day (because I was so sad there) that I gained about 14- 20 pounds. So this therapy hadnīt worked for me.
The only thing I learned there about my ED was that bingeing is connected with your father, purgeing with your mother. Or the other way round.

Maybe one day I will go and do another therapy (i am dealing with various addictions, depressions). But not at the moment.
I could form FPPOG (future psychiatric patients of germany)!

Kate

Thanks for the morning giggle, Kate. heh heh heh
What a dreadful experience you had at the rehab centre. I hope you find a good therapist in the future.

I forgot to mention... once after I was hospitalized, I had to do a six-week program at mental health day hospital. It was five days a week, 8:30-3 for six weeks.
It was FANTASTIC! There were about 10 of us in the group. We had group psycho-therapy in the morning with a psychiatrist and cognitive behaviour therapy (including art therapy, etc) in the afternoons. Plus one-on-one sessions with the psychiatrist, behavioural therapist, etc.
I came out of there with renewed self-confidence, a better understanding of some of my behaviours (in particular in dealing with other people), and a fat binder full of life-skills. (must dig that binder out and practice those skills...)
Frankly, I wish it had been longer, but I was very grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a program. It's something I wish everyone could take.

I think my bingeing is connected with my mother, and my purging is connected with my father. I never thought about that before. I want to blame it all on them (especially since one of them taught it to me), but I'm the one sitting here almost 8 years in and refusing to get help.

11 yrs ago I was depressed, and went into therapy, it was my third therapist I connected with. First one must of thought it was a race to HEAL me,,,I hyperventilated to the point I threw up in her office, that was my first and only visit. Second therapist seemed like she needed my council more,,,she was a bit wacked. Third,,was well my rock. 1 year with her then I joined her group therapy for another 3.