Eating Disorders

My first indication that all was not well in my life began when I discovered the feeling of control I got from starving myself, and the achievement of seeing the needle on the scales go down each day. I kept to a 200 calorie a day diet for 4 months, before my control cracked and I began bingeing.. and then taking laxatives. Before long I had spiralled down into bulimia. I received various treatments, some more helpful than others, but, over time, managed to not so much "reagain control", but to let go of the control entirely. I do still have days when my eating veers towards the chaotic, especially when I am coping with overwhelming situations or emotions in my life, and these pages help me through those times.

The best source for information and help in the UK is the Eating Disorders Association. They run a telephone helpline from Mon-Fri 9am-6.30pm on 01603 621 414; a youth helpline from 4pm to 6pm Mon-Fri on 01603 7650 050, and a 24 hour information line on a premium rate number (45p/min cheap rate, 50p/min all other times) on 0891 615 466.

Anorexic Creed - I wrote this because I think that an eating disorder is not about food, it's a belief system. A booklist I put together on eating disorders. An information leaflet from Eating Disorders Association - includes definitions and advice for family and friends. Something Fishy - probably the most comprehensive site around. Mirror Mirror - a well written, easy to navigate site, which includes self harm information. Body Image Betrayal and Related Issues - home of the Unbinding the Body Betrayed webring Lucy Serpell's Eating Disorder's Resources from the UK based Institute of Psychiatry. Mjo's Eating Disorder links - a collection of links, more extensive than this one! Image Central has good stuff about being overweight and body image from someone who's been there. Kindred Spirit's Eating Disorders and more - but beware, this page crashed my browser a couple of times. There is also some subtle Christian content on this site. Concerned Counselling's Eating Disorders Site which is stil in its early days, and may turn out to be one long promotion for the St Joseph's Centre for Eating Disorders - but a site to keep an eye on. Good on line chat conferences too. The Body Shop's magazine page has a lot of information on self acceptance and body image (hence why I've linked it from here!)

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