is anyone in this forum truly recovered?

[angie]

Or are we all damned forever? Can you really get over your ED? Who can help us, or can we just help ourselves? And if so, how? Are we powerless to our disease forever?

Sometimes I just feel so hopeless. Like things will never get better. Like even if I learn to stop purging, I'll just binge and binge and binge, grow to fucking hate myself, and commit suicide. Can anyone hear learn to be truly happy? Not the false, fleeting happy you get after a purge, or a drop in weight; but just finally being content with yourself for good, and living life free of an ED?

Will any of us ever really get better?

[silver_elf]

For most people, recovery means regaining control and being able to eat normal meals or indulge from time to time, and having more self-confidence BUT still having bad days now and then.
No one is ever "cured." like poof, it's gone forever. It's always sort of lurking in the background but it becomes easier and easier to keep it there. It doesn't have to be part of your life anymore.
sort of like alcoholism. you can sober up and stay that way, but you'll always be an alcoholic.
does that make sense?

and YES there is sooooo much hope. time, perseverance, determination, hard work, support from others, professional help, time, perseverance, hard work, time, time...
you'll get there. not tomorrow, not on your own, but you'll get there.
If you *want* to recover, you will.

[HoneyHeart]

I think we can. :)

I had a period of eating normally for 5 years and was VERY happy with it during that time! Always had an odd relationship with food, but i don't think that ever goes away. The trick is making sure you don't go back to your old ways >_<

[dreamxonxaxwish]

Plus, I think that once someone recovers, they probably stop coming to boards like this so that they can live normally. And without the triggers of a community like this.

[elyse]

I feel like the poster child for fucked-up recovery after acting like a maniac last night and posting about it. But I agree with the others -- I have so much hope for the future. I know it won't be like a magical cure or whatever, but I really do believe that I will be able to set some of this aside and have a normal life someday. And I think it's esp hard to imagine bc we're all in the same boat, and she's totally right -- if someone is really doing well recovering, it's not gonna be here, so we maybe don't see it the possibilities. I know I'll do better someday, and I hold out hope that when that time comes, a relapse won't follow. :p