Confessions of a Closet Eater

Book excerpt: Abstract: A recovered bulimia, wife, and mother, describes what it's like to go through a typical binge purge attack. She traces the background of her disorder, explains the mechanics involved in the recovery stages, and describes the role played by her renewed faith in Jesus. The purpose and benefits of the self-help organization Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) are described. Advice is offered to parents and spouses of Anorexia or bulimia on helping their loved ones. The importance of self-esteem is discussed as is the need to accent one's positive traits rather than the negative ones. Several ideas are offered for treating the physical symptoms of bulimia: slowing down before and during eating and walking to relax, tuning in to others rather than to the food present while eating, as certaining what situation trigger binges, and other behavior modification tips. Taking one step at a time is important in overcoming an eating disorder: be patient, face the symptoms, accept certain individual needs, and set small goals so the task of recovering doesn't seem too overwhelming to begin. (as).