[ellieh]

I'm extremely new to this site. I was previously diagnosed EDNOS several years ago, got better, got worse, got better, got pregnant, got fat. I weighed quite a lot at the end of the summer. I've lost weight recently, but it's by falling into old ED ways.

I abuse laxatives, and I am the only person I know who has ever done this. Everywhere I turn, I am the only one. Please tell me I'm not alone. The shame is unbearable.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi ellieh

Thank you for introducing yourself to us.

Welcome to Psych Central.

This is a great place to be for online support.

Yeah look I just wanted to put it out there you are far from the only person to abuse substances due to an ED and I felt the need to tell you that because you think you are the only person - makes sense I mean it can be somewhat of a secretive world if you've quietly dealing with this.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

There ya go.

Just wanted to answer your question.

Hang in there

There are a number of Forums here at Psych Central that you are free to browse around. Consider this like your personal Library. Nobody knows what you are looking at really. I could be busy reading Charlie Brown and the Chocolate Factory Book right now paging through the Chapter on Oompa Loompas and you wouldn’t know.

So don’t worry about what Books your Read. You are free to Browse all you like. If you feel like it, you are free to enter a Chapter in a Book in this Library that is available to you. You do this by Creating a Post. Research has shown that those who choose to actively Write gain more from their experience in online forums. You are free to choose whether you Browse or whether you Write a Chapter. If you write a Chapter, please anticipate a response to your Chapter that you have contributed towards our Magnificent Library. And in doing so you unconsciously help others Browse our Special Library too and provide members unknown Knowledge that we are not alone. There are so many just like us. We all have a different Chapter to write. Or a different Book to Read. But there are many of us here at Psych Central that keeps this Library of Knowledge alive. Thank you for being a part of this.

If you need any help or support navigating the site please feel free to contact one our Community Liaisons. We will be happy to help you.

May you find the comfort and support that you deserve.

Take care.

Hooli

[sideblinded]

ellieh, Hello and welcome to PC.

You have come to a great place to talk about your issues and many others here can relate. You don need to feel ashamed as you suffer from a real disorder that is treatable. I hope that you keep talking about your issues. Many others will chime in and offer their experiences. Best wishes.

[CANDC]

Welcome to Psych Central (PC) ellieh. Sorry to hear you have been suffering from eating disorder but glad to hear you joined PC. I used to have more problems with food, but cut out carbs mostly and increased veggies fruit and yogurt. They keep me regular and keep me from binging. I eat small snacks or meals every 3-4 hours.

Getting sleep may be the single one thing that keeps me in balance. If you are not sleeping or having bad side affects, contact your psychiatrist and tell him what is happening so you can make adjustments.

Some people at PC will find a therapist will also help them sort out the roots of their life.

Many people find compassionate, caring people here at PC. Some people find the forums give them the compassion and empathy they seek. http://forums.psychcentral.com

There are articles that go into more detail about coping
Psych Central - Search results for Coping with eating disorders

Please feel free to private message any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.

[breakmystride]

*hugs*
I wish I could give you some advice, but I'm not really sure what to say. You're not alone though, I suffer from EDNOS and abused laxatives for several months when I was at my worst. I quit them when it got to the point that my body had built up a tolerance and they didn't have any effect on me.

[kaliope]

hi ellieh
you are not the only one. my sister abused laxatives for a long time with her ED and it totally messed up her system. it got to where her intestines could not function correctly on their own. this is what happened to her.

my sister died a year ago. she battled eating disorders most her life. she was normal weight most of her last years, probably the last eight. only really thin about six years but she had done so much damage to her body her intestines couldnt function normally and kept getting blocked and she would have to have repeated surgeries to remove the blockages and parts of her intestines and the scar tissue. it got to where her stomach would bloat up because she could not digest her food and she had to pump it out of her stomach after she ate. she would be so weak she had to use a walker to walk. she was constantly in the hospital because her potassium levels were so low. she was always near death. and then she was finally dead. her body just couldnt handle the stress any longer. she was sorry in the end that she had abused herself so badly but there was no going back. it was too late for her. please, learn from her mistake. she was only 49. i miss her.

welcome to psych central. you will find we have several forums where you can post about your concerns and receive feedback from other members. you will get a lot of support here. again, welcome

[Fuzzybear]

[pinkflower17]

Originally Posted by ellieh

I'm extremely new to this site. I was previously diagnosed EDNOS several years ago, got better, got worse, got better, got pregnant, got fat. I weighed quite a lot at the end of the summer. I've lost weight recently, but it's by falling into old ED ways.

I abuse laxatives, and I am the only person I know who has ever done this. Everywhere I turn, I am the only one. Please tell me I'm not alone. The shame is unbearable.

I understand the shame and embarrassment. And you're definitely not alone.

[lunarbeams]

Hey, I want you to know firstly that you have no need to feel ashamed and alone. Not at all..
You have definitely come to the right place. I am new myself and have found it is wonderful.

I am currently in treatment and I know many people who abuse laxatives as a means of purging. I have done so myself on multiple occasions. I must tell you though there are severe consequences of abusing laxatives which I am sure you already know.. But
Please know you are never alone and you are so much more than any bad feeling, any bad thing that happens to you. Be kind to yourself, I am still learning. It is the hardest thing but that is what we are all here for am I right?

Keep going, I am always here if you need to chat. Give me a shout xo