Eating Disorders (ie., Anorexia and Bulimia): Write an Email Volunteer

 Disclaimer

Self-help is useful, but it is not a substitute for professional assistance. Emotional and behavioral problems can be debilitating and dangerous. Please seek professional help: 

if you have thoughts of killing yourself or harming others;
if you feel depressed, anxious, guilty or down on yourself frequently; if you are abusing substances; if your performance or interpersonal relationships are impaired.

"Our purpose is to give information.. We can not, and are not, assuming the role of your physician or therapist in any of our replies. 

We also do not know your other medical problems and psychiatric diagnoses, which usually have a dramatic effect on medication (and other treatment) recommendations. You must make a medical and treatment plan with your physician and therapist(s).

Feel free to write any of the volunteers below.

Eating Disorders Email Volunteers

1) I am 25 years old and have my own small business. Currently, I am working on my
second degree degree and am studying social psychology. 

I have OCD and in the past have suffered from depression. It has been several years since my depression was severe. However, I certainly understand what it is like to be depressed and to feel helpless and hopeless. I survived my depression and am doing nearly 100% better today. I wish to reach out to others who are also struggling with
depression and other problems.

[email protected] 

2) Hi, My name is Terri and i am a 41 year old female who has been through the rampant of the mental health illnesses. I live in Ohio, and have a house filled with animals, to me they are good therapy, and I also have a very supportive husband.  My illness have consisted of Major Depression, panic disorder, anorexia, obsessive control disorder - OCD, which is under control for about 10 years now, schizoaffective bipolar disorder and alcoholism. I was once misdiagnosed as borderline personality disorder. I had a bad experience with that diagnosis, a misinformed doctor.

At this point in my life i battle mainly with the schizoaffective bipolar and also post traumatic stress disorder - PTSD from childhood abuse, which I forgot to add, sorry.  I have been managing my panic disorder and am not longer practicing any anorexic behavior in 15 years. One thing I have been doing for a long time is researching all of these mental illnesses and others to find out as much as i can to help myself and keep up on new treatments. I have spent time in the hospitals, mainly the Veterans Administration hospital, I was in the Air Force for 6 years where I began to drink heavily to cover up the depression and anxiety i was feeling. I have also been going to college for a long time studying social work and psychology and am at a senior level but the courses don't go towards one degree and i do not have the money to finish. Someday I know I will.

At one point in time I was a drug/alcohol counselor in the military, if you can believe it and a peer counselor when I got out.  By the way I no longer drink for a number of years. It was strange, but once i finally got the right treatment I just quit drinking, I never tried to quit, it just happened, and now the smell of it makes me sick.  I am here to answer the questions I can, and if I don't know i will try and find them for you, or if you just want to chat about an mental health issue also.

We all need to become knowledgeable of mental health issues so society will hopefully someday remove the stigma that still exists. With that have a good day.   

[email protected] 

3) I am 36 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder II, obsessive compulsive disorder ( OCD), 6 years ago. My first diagnose was from a family doctor when I was 25, in which he simply told me i was a little depressed, HA! he gave me an antidepressant and simply dismissed the ordeal as premenstrual syndrome and hormone related. However, I knew there was more to it than that. I was on and off of antidepressants for the next 6 years, then I began having episodes of agitation, sleeplessness for days at a time, sadness, lump in my throat and overeating. 

Upon a visit to a therapist she suggested that I visit a psychiatrist for further observation. The psychiatrist diagnosed me at bipolar II, OCD. I have taken a wide variety of medications, too many to list. I can't tell you the amount of frustration i have experienced. Which left me hopeless and in despair. I found another psychiatrist who seems to be helping, he listens and has tried to make every effort to help me. I have always taken my meds on time, and as prescribed not missing a day. I think this is a very big stressor. I have been stable for a year now.

I do not work, I help my husband with his business from home, I want to try to help those who have questions, comments or simply need to reach out. I know how lonely this condition can be, however, with the right care, diet and environment there is a positive outlook.

I have never been hospitalized, but have thought of it. I am not suicidal and try to make the best of each day. Some days I don't have as much energy as others but i push myself and i try to accomplish at least 1 thing each day. I take things one day at a time, and spend quite a bit of time in prayer and thanksgiving that I have such a wonderful husband to be by my side. He is not only my husband he is my best friend.

I won't tell you this illness hasn't affected our lives because it has in a lot of ways. You see I used to work side by side with my husband, I was his accountant. Not being there with him is hard for both of us. We were together 24/7 for 11 years. But life has seasons and is constantly changing. 
[email protected]