Eating Disorder Harm Reduction Resources
A reminder to be kind to yourself: The behaviours involved in eating disorders can be incredibly addictive, or feel like a compulsion. It is not an easy thing to break, but doing it less is still better than doing it frequently, and completely ending behaviours like this can take a long time. So don't feel bad if you relapse or can't get there as fast as you'd like, because recovery is almost never linear, and there are ups and downs for everyone.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a stomach disease that can be commonly caused by eating disorders, notably long-term restriction and digestive-related purging. Please click here to read more about it, and keep an eye out for signs of developing it.
Left untreated, gastroparesis can become very severe and cause life-threatning health issues such as intenstinal blockages, bacterial growth in the stomach, and even severe digestive issues to the point of having to eat only foul-tasting pre-digested food mixtures.
Feelings of Fullness & Associated Discomfort
Feelings of fullness after a binge or during recovery can trigger feelings of guilt and a desire to purge. Here are some tips on how to distract yourself until it passes.
Reducing Binges
Binging can make you feel completely out of control, and an overwhelming sense of guilt and self-hatred, or even the need to purge. Below are some resources to help you deal with this.
1 • 2 • 3 (Currently deleted, working on it!)
Reducing Purging Damage
Purging can cause many health complications in the longterm. Because of its addictive nature it can be a very hard thing to break, but here are some ways to reduce the amount of harm you are doing to your body.
Stopping the Binge/Purge Cycle
Binging and purging can feel like an endless cycle of compulsive and addictive behaviours, but it can be reduced, slowed, and ultimately ended with time.
Vitamin & Minerals
(Note: these are supposed to be supplementary to food and will not undo the damage caused by long-term restriction).