depression and bulimia

[frances]

I have suffered from bulimia for 30 yrs. I didn't start treatment until five yrs. ago. I have dealt with depression alot through the yrs. and of course that and the anxiety got worse as I had to work through issues that contributed to the bulimia. I was making good progress but had to quit due to finances about a year ago. Since then my life has turned upside down and I have found myself using my old coping mechanisms, binging and purging, which has led to incresed depression. I just can't seem to get back on track.

[Jennifer]

okay, how were you able to overcome your negative coping skills in the past? what changed to make you able to resit binging and purging? what is going on in your life now?

[frances]

well I didn't completly overcome the negative coping skills but i was making very good progress, I had setbacks once inawhile. My therapist was working with me on finding new and positive ways of coping. When i quit therapy I felt I had enough new skills that I could go it alone. My family life was caotic then and is still now the newest thing though would be my husband getting laid off from work. Which has put more stress in our relationship, if thats what you want to call it. Once I started binging and purging just a couple of times it just started the cycle all over again.

[Jennifer]

okay so you learned positive coping skills, what is preventing you from using them now? in times of extreme stress, it is important to remember that using positive coping skills is critical if you are going to make it through.

[frances]

believe it or not the binging and purging though temporary is calmig and though I know it only causes more problems in the end it is sometimes easier to give into that then to stop and try to think of somehting more positive to calm me at the moment. Sometimes I don't even stop to think at all before i know it the damage is done.

[Jennifer]

not buying that, you wouldn't be here trying to get help if you didn't know that what you are doing is damaging. what else can you do to calm yourself?

[frances]

I never said I didn't know it caused damage, I know it is causing me damage. And it is only temporary, then the realization that it doesn't really help but makes things worse sets in again. Things I've done in the past are gone for walks although it's been rather cold up till just recently, pray,which I know I don't do enough of, exercise however I have to watch I don't overdo it or it kind of defeats the purpose, write in a journal, listen to music.

[Jennifer]

okay, then start doing some or all of those things again, except walking when it is way too cold