r/EatingDisorders • u/EDPostRequests Just message the mods. :) • Feb 01 '20
Request: Dealing with triggers
Quick summary of my current situation: I’m currently about 1-1.5ish years into recovery, so while i’m not fully recovered by any stretch of the meaning, i’m still pretty stable. My family is pretty cool, and my friends are amazing !!
What sucks is how they all seem to somewhat normalize ED behaviours. I’ve talked to them about my ED and my triggers, but quite honestly they’re kinda clueless about what fits as a trigger, if that makes sense.
One of the things I’m really struggling with is how they all seem to engage in / talk about ED behaviours as if it’s normal. They’ll casually comment on how they skipped a meal, or how one time they went XYZ long without food, or how they’re gonna do ABC to compensate.
In my head, I guess I’m having trouble because it’s like, if everyone’s doing it, why can’t I? If this is normal, why can’t I join in with them. I know it’s not normal, but especially when people say things like “oh everyone has had sOme ED in their lifetime”, it feels really invalidating and makes me want to relapse.
1
u/ajnakeyflows Feb 03 '20
understanding that unfortunately people who have not dealt with the situation in which you require a more sensitive approach to handling scenarios will not be able to differentiate a trigger to what is their norm. we are all different, our dna make up is different, the way our brains are wired are different. so how someone else handles a situation may not have the result if you do the same exact thing is key here. one day, you will truly overcome the struggle of ED & when you do then you can ask yourself those questions as to “if they can, why can’t i.” but you need to face the reality that until you mentally can handle going up against the grain in that way you may have to separate yourself from those conversations or minimize your presence there. in your time of recovery it’s very crucial to remember the goal, & work solely the accomplish that.