At first, when
I sought out recovery from an eating disorder (E.D.), I was angry at everyone that wanted to help me fight for a better life. I felt
they were all against me and didn't understand me. In the beginning, my cognition was not coherent enough to be making rational decisions for my own well-being. As the refeeding
process began at a treatment center/hospital, I began to accept help from others. My E.D. still fought me tooth and nail to not survive; I was angry.
The emotion of anger manifested in my food. The less I ate, the more in control I felt of life's woes. So, while in a treatment center, I was angry at everyone. I thought they just wanted to "make me fat" and out of control. I felt angrily out of control. Food was my enemy, a poison to my delusional mind. I could not comprehend that everyone was trying to help and not harm me. Sometimes during recovery, I was angry at someone and myself for having an eating disorder. Sometimes, I'd get so mad that I became a victim and lost sight of the reality that I am a survivor. Part of my anger is accepting, letting go, and moving on in life's journey.
Anger was always a scary emotion for me to healthily express. I always associated it with violence and out-of-control emotions. I usually stuffed my feelings, especially anger, to the point of explosion. Even to this day, I struggle with expressing my anger. I realize that the pot's vent must be vented, or it will burst. As I recovered, I learned that all emotions are healthy to express and release. Sometimes, my skin still boils with steam, but when that happens, I take a time-out and revisit the situation when my thoughts are collected, and I have cooled off. Anger is becoming a healthy emotion to express.
The other day, I sat down to enjoy a delicious meal. I began to pour the salad dressing on my salad without a thought in the world stopping me. I enjoyed every morsel and each piece of the salad, savoring the many flavors that it contained. I enjoyed the entire meal that I was eating. I don't angrily put salad dressing on my salad anymore to help "get me fat." My expression of anger is not directed or ruled by food anymore. I happily want and savor all the nutrients. My anger is expressed in ways that center around emotions, not food. I am proud of my progress and the strides I've taken to understand my underlying feelings on my recovery journey. Thank you to all for helping me find myself and supporting me during this life process.
-A.N.T.
Anger was always a scary emotion for me to healthily express. I always associated it with violence and out-of-control emotions. I usually stuffed my feelings, especially anger, to the point of explosion. Even to this day, I struggle with expressing my anger. I realize that the pot's vent must be vented, or it will burst. As I recovered, I learned that all emotions are healthy to express and release. Sometimes, my skin still boils with steam, but when that happens, I take a time-out and revisit the situation when my thoughts are collected, and I have cooled off. Anger is becoming a healthy emotion to express.
The other day, I sat down to enjoy a delicious meal. I began to pour the salad dressing on my salad without a thought in the world stopping me. I enjoyed every morsel and each piece of the salad, savoring the many flavors that it contained. I enjoyed the entire meal that I was eating. I don't angrily put salad dressing on my salad anymore to help "get me fat." My expression of anger is not directed or ruled by food anymore. I happily want and savor all the nutrients. My anger is expressed in ways that center around emotions, not food. I am proud of my progress and the strides I've taken to understand my underlying feelings on my recovery journey. Thank you to all for helping me find myself and supporting me during this life process.
-A.N.T.
