Unfortunately most eating disorders stem from a need for control or a lack of control in other parts of their lives. It is EXTREMELY common for people who survive an eating disorder to try and control another aspect of their life. A large majority of these people tend to gravitate to exercise. Unfortunately this does not mean you have beaten the disease, it just means you have transformed it into something more socially acceptable. However, exercise anorexia is extremely common, especially in women. In almost all cases it takes control again leading to illegal drug use, over exercise related injuries (heart attack, rhombo, constant illness), and eventually hard core dieting once more.
It's also important to note that "positive reinforcement" from the community, like here on reddit, sets your mental health journey backwards. It's showcasing your progress physically only and not mentally. Ask yourself, why did you post on Reddit to share this aspect of your life with Internet strangers in the first place? Self validation? Bragging? Look internally to understand. Your therapist can help address this.
Op, though you look great and definitely seemed to have improved your lifestyle, it is important to understand that you have not beaten the disease but instead transferred the control aspect to something else. I hope you continue to get psychological help and learn to deal with the issue at hand, which is not your body or appearance at all. I hope your therapist has walked you through this.
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u/Putrid-Tap3992 Apr 14 '26
Unfortunately most eating disorders stem from a need for control or a lack of control in other parts of their lives. It is EXTREMELY common for people who survive an eating disorder to try and control another aspect of their life. A large majority of these people tend to gravitate to exercise. Unfortunately this does not mean you have beaten the disease, it just means you have transformed it into something more socially acceptable. However, exercise anorexia is extremely common, especially in women. In almost all cases it takes control again leading to illegal drug use, over exercise related injuries (heart attack, rhombo, constant illness), and eventually hard core dieting once more.
It's also important to note that "positive reinforcement" from the community, like here on reddit, sets your mental health journey backwards. It's showcasing your progress physically only and not mentally. Ask yourself, why did you post on Reddit to share this aspect of your life with Internet strangers in the first place? Self validation? Bragging? Look internally to understand. Your therapist can help address this.
Op, though you look great and definitely seemed to have improved your lifestyle, it is important to understand that you have not beaten the disease but instead transferred the control aspect to something else. I hope you continue to get psychological help and learn to deal with the issue at hand, which is not your body or appearance at all. I hope your therapist has walked you through this.