chatting with a fellow friend who also has an eating disorder

Group therapy was the primary mode of treatment in my partial hospitalization program. The program I was in was based on scientific research which shows that group work is one of the most effective modes of treatment since eating disorders are so isolating during the illness. To be able to meet others who are suffering like I was, was a powerful tool in my recovery. It also added to the sense of hope because you see others who were where you are and have recovered. It gave me hope that I could do it as well.

There was a time in the very beginning in my mid 20’s when the local support group was at the hospital, free, twice a week, 2 hrs long each and facilitated by an RN with the the ED program there. (ah the old days!)  I got more out of group than I did out of individual therapy it seemed like.  Group was so powerful and I was pretty newly diagnosed and still learning so much.  The nurses kept it on track and it was fairly confrontational and work-oriented.  Me like!

I have struggled throughout the years as I’ve moved, to find ED support groups that I’ve liked.  They are poorly organized, or poorly attended, or poorly facilitated.  Many are organized and facilitated by ED “survivors” themselves, and in poor health.  I helped co-facilitate a group in northern Virginia for an MD while living there, but when my symptoms worsened, had to drop out.  Groups like that can become “sick” and the discussion can become “sick” and depressive.  It’s so much better if someone who doesn’t have an ED is the facilitator, like an intern or such.  ED patients can “hook up” and get ideas at those meetings too.  But it was such an essential part of my early recovery.  I don’t know what I would have done without that!  And I still miss it and long for that support.  That was a solid, solid support group and was going for years and years.  I moved away and came back and went and was as welcome as ever.  It was just the same.  Same times.  Same place.  Solid. 

note:  That was actually the first group I ever went to….when I KNEW I didn’t have an actual eating disorder. A doctor sent me.  I’d lost a bunch of weight fast.  Told him I’d go.  Knew I was in the wrong place.  They asked me if I wanted to talk.  Each time I passed.  Ok.  So everyone in the group said something that was also in my head.  How could I be a nurse and not know I had this???  Weird.  That was truly the weirdest thing.  Even though I had gone to that doctor 5 yrs prior for help, I still even then, didn’t think I had an eating disorder.  I went to him for help.  But not for an eating disorder.  But I don’t know what I was thinking.  Weird.  How a nurse could do that.  A critical care nurse.

I am actively looking for an ED support group but have not yet found one.

 I found that within my entire treatment program, group therapy was instrumental in several areas. I now help coordinate a monthly family/friends support group for those who have loved ones in treatment. I think a support group, outside of any other entity, can be chance-y. If you can be sure that everyone is truly recovered, then that’s fine, but in my experience in the past, it seemed that everyone just passed ideas around about how to stay sick….just my observation. I guess it would depend on how/if it was facilitated by a professional.

I did not have the opportunity of attending a group for therapy

     Peer interaction is vital—let’s me know that I’m not alone doing this thing.  There’s a lot to be said for strength in numbers.

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To me, Group Therapy was very helpful for a couple of years.  I don’t know how to describe what I got from it.  I guess just learning from other individuals struggling with their issues, and being supportive of each other.  Had a great group therapy therapist.