How My Binge Eating Disorder Turned Into Anorexia

Binge eating disorder turned into anorexia for me. In fact, I have dealt with many different types of eating disorders. I have flipped from binging to restricting to purging--and repeated the cycle again. Just because we stay abstinent from one behavior, doesn't mean we are not picking up another in the process. The deep-rooted issues that were precursors to our eating disorders need to be dealt with in order to truly move on and find recovery from our illness. 

My Eating Disorder Cycle from Binge Eating Disorder to Anorexia

As I stated above, my eating disorder has taken many different shapes, all of which were fueled by my low self-esteem and anxiety. My binging began when I was in high school. It came with me to college. About halfway through my studies, my behaviors took a dramatic turn. 

I desperately wanted to stop binging and miraculously I did. I naively thought I was cured. I had stopped the thing that I assumed was making my life miserable. I was thrilled that I wasn't overindulging with food, but little did I know I was beginning to restrict. 

Because I never took care of the issues that fueled my eating disorder, I fell deep into anorexia. I became miserable again and was struck with the realization that I was as sick as ever. More years passed and my illness took on other faces. It wasn't until I entered eating disorder treatment and worked on myself that I began to let go of each behavior and find wellness. 

Binge Eating Disorder to Anorexia -- Why Our Eating Disorder Behaviors Flip

Eating disorders are sneaky illnesses. They can change shape and form without us really even noticing. We may think we are getting better when in reality we have just switched our behaviors. This means we need to be extra aware of our actions, as well as what is happening in our systems. 

With my story, for example, I really thought I was doing great by not binging but slowly it only lead me to eat less and less, leaving me in the same state that I was in before. What we need to do is take care of what is going on below the iceberg.

Our behaviors are at the top of the iceberg. The iceberg in the water below represents the issues we really need to heal from. If we melt down the layers at the bottom of the iceberg we can have a real shot at wellness. If we don't do this, our cycle will only continue and will most likely become worse than ever. 

Keep tabs on what is going on internally and externally with yourself. Journal, talk to others and do your best to be aware of what face your eating disorder decides to put on from day to day. 

You can do this. Recovery is possible. With some work and a little faith, you too can reach wellness. Stay strong.