Blogs
Admittedly, not everyone in the eating disorders world agrees on everything. In fact, I wonder how many fields have as much internal dissent and such a lack of common ground? We don't agree on cause, treatment, or even how to diagnose or measure recovery. We don't all agree on what an eating disorder IS. Worse still, too many people rest in the belief that their view is happily shared by all.
One of my favorite aspects of ADHD is the delightful way I open my mouth and insert both my feet into my mouth…usually sideways with boots on and an awkward piece of toilet paper trailing behind. It paints a great image, but it's even better to hear. My mouth has been known to light bridges aflame behind me leaving burned out friendships to mark my passing.
On Saturday, I went on a road trip. I drove all by myself to Moab and back in one day. That's about 9 hours on different highways, freeways, state routes, whatever you call them. Big multiple lane roads moving at very fast speeds. For most people, this is nothing special, but for someone who gets anxious and has fears associated with driving, its a huge accomplishment. One speeding ticket and one potential dead deer later, I rolled into my garage at 10:30 at night ready for bed.
Amanda_HP
Sexual abuse--whether by a loved relative or a violent rape by a stranger—is an attack on a person’s sexuality (The Damage Caused By Sexual Abuse). It’s no wonder that many survivors of incest, rape, and molestation report that they suffer from problems with sexual relating and intimacy.
Does it matter that my creativity has dwindled down to almost nothing now that my bipolar medications have taken over? Should it matter that my essence is now a dull wit? Am I willing to trade a part of my soul for a lot of sanity? Should I have to choose between my bipolar medication and a normal life?
When I ask people to care about eating disorders, it is very common for them to come back with "but obesity is such a big problem." I'm not sure why the two things are seen as opposites, but I think we'd benefit from taking a different look at both issues that may lead us to see some common goals and a common approach.
I've heard that your anxiety levels can ebb and flow during your menstrual cycle. The Internet is flooded with forums with women questioning how much the menstrual cycle influences anxiety levels. Turns out that the hormones involved with menstruation probably do, indirectly, affect your anxiety levels.
All this month we've been discussing various steps you can take to rein in your ADHD and get some projects done for a change. You've limited your projects, picked the ones with the most key interest, and made plans to work on them. Now what?
I had a terrible dream the other night. My therapist says that dreams are unfinished business. I think it’s safe to say that I have a lot of unfinished business that I need to attend to. My bipolar disorder is still hovering there beneath the surface. The high of the bipolar drugs has finished and it’s back to normal bipolar me. But, it’s better than it was. I just have to remind myself that I’m not my bipolar disorder.
I had a terrible dream the other night. My therapist says that dreams are unfinished business. I think it's safe to say that I have a lot of unfinished business that I need to attend to. My bipolar disorder is still hovering there beneath the surface. The high of the bipolar drugs has finished and it's back to normal bipolar me. But, it's better than it was. I just have to remind myself that I'm not my bipolar disorder.
I read this book many years ago, just as I was entering the turmoil of remembering, questioning and doubting myself all the way (as I'd been covertly taught over a lifetime). I happened to mention to my two sisters one day, "This is so strange but I've been diagnosed with PTSD." Both my sisters surprised me by responding, "Me too."
THEN I happened upon an old book manuscript that my now deceased father had written (not published), wherein the protagonist was obviously based upon himself and he rapes his "fiancee," who had my unusual name. Yes, truly.
Then I made myself look at the peculiar memory I always had where he violently threatened me but somehow I had never been able to recall what came before or after the episode. I had to admit that was a bit strange.
The pressures and powers to forget sexual abuse are great, both in family and society. In fact, I've come to the sad conclusion that the vast majority of survivors never really deal with their childhood wounds (a neglect for which there are always repercussions).
To critique an encouragement of people trusting their intuition in such matters is really getting the prescription dangerously wrong.
Thanks!