Posted by Dr. Beth Steinhauer on March 18, 2005, at 22:22:24
In reply to Steinhauer- EDs and self injury, posted by Poet on March 16, 2005, at 20:14:18
Dear Poet,
I'm interested in what you DO consider your bulimia. I believe you that you've never considered it self-injurious, and that may never have been your intention...but bingeing to the point of discomfort and inducing vomiting (or abusing laxatives or compulsively exercising) DO end up having punishing effects on your body. It may be that bulimic complications aren't as immediate or visible as scars from self-mutilation. Still, years of bulimia MAY erode your tooth enamel, disrupt your electrolytes, cause parotid gland swelling and tears in your esophagus, etc., etc. Bulimia can lead to serious long-term health consequences, such as cardiac arrhythmias, osteoporosis, seizures, and death.
You may feel that bulimia has been helpful to you as a way to manage overwhelming anxiety, sadness, loneliness, or anger. You may have initially turned to food for comfort and a greater sense of control. If this is the case, I can understand why it might not be obvious to you how this coping strategy--which may well have been the best you could do for many years--is being viewed by others as a self-destructive behavior.
Perhaps your therapist is alerting you to how bulimia is harming you, even if bingeing feels adaptive or helpful. Perhaps she is urging you to think about WHY you might engage in potentially risky behavior. Sometimes, people behave in self-destructive ways without recognizing the inherent risk. Addictions, gambling, impulsive spending sprees, and reckless sex are other examples of this phenomenon.
I am glad that you are curious about the question your therapist raises, and hope that the exploration process is fruitful for you. Best, ES
poster:Dr. Beth Steinhauer
thread:471859
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/eating/20050314/msgs/472682.html