I need the wisdom and help from you lovely
people here at 3FC to help me with something.
I'm done lying to people and I'm going to be open and honest.
I haven't been on much since I've been doing much
recovery from an eating disorder that I've had
since 2010. And I've finally gotten to the point
where I can talk openly about it and not mask it.
I've actually gained ten pounds from recovery
and I'm slowly but surely getting back to healthy.
I found out yesterday that I went from severely
anemic to a little above normal. Horray for
huge progress!
Here comes the problem...
Since I've been so open and honest about my
recovery, I've noticed some things.
A young girl who looks up to me a lot wants
to become "pro-ana" (a slang term for promoting anorexia).
She believes it's a fad and that it'll help her lose weight.
I tried desperately to explain to her that having
a mental illness isn't something you can think
about one night and decide you want it, and that
being "pro-ana" will cause her nothing but shame and harm.
She's only 13, folks. I do blame myself greatly...
I feel as if opening up about my disorder (to raise
awareness and help myself to heal) has exposed
her to thinking that a disorder will help her lose weight.
She doesn't seem too set on it.
I'm not sure if she's telling me this for attention
or for the attention she'll receive from others.
Either way I don't care. I'll give her all the attention
she wants. I'll listen to whatever she has to say
and I'll continue to promote being fit and healthy.
I've created a new blog called "Finding Fit Again"
Hopefully once she starts seeing my positive
turn-around and determination to become
healthy again she'll follow in my footsteps.
My question is:
What would YOU do?
How would you handle someone you know
tell you they want a disorder?
What should I say to her next time this comes up?
I'm trying for it not to get to the point
of me telling her parents. I've never talked
to them and I'm not sure if they'll comprehend
what I'm saying (they're from Puerto Rico,
so their English isn't very good).
I'm greatly confused.
I'm trying desperately to recover to better
myself and now I must worry what impact
I'm making on others.
Should I stop being so open? The last thing
I want to do is trigger someone elses disorder...