Ana Death

Whether you've been Ana/Mia etc. for 6 months, or 6 years, recovery can seem more intimidating than the disorder itself. Maybe you've been through counselling and it didn't work. Maybe no one will take you seriously.  But, recovery is possible for everyone,  male, female, young, old ... everyone. If you are looking to recover, then think about what follows. If you aren't, even still, I'd read it anyway just in case.

The Steps to Recovery

~*~ I am not a doctor. I'm not even especially gifted at science. However, using research and logic, and a little bit of personal experience the following is what I have come up with. Feel free to scoff, mock, laugh or disbelieve. :)

1. Willingness

- If you are going to recover you HAVE to want to. You may have been through a recovery program or counselling etc. and you feel that you are basically screwed forever because it didn't work. HOWEVER, keep in mind that if you were forced into it, chances are it wouldn't have helped. If you're leaning towards recovery, try again now. It'll be much more effective if you have YOU on YOUR side.

2. Openness

- IMPOSSIBLE to cure yourself if only you know that you want to be cured. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!! If you have done this, forgive me, and let me know so I can change that, but to the extent of my knowledge, it's ridiculously tedious and hard. TELL PEOPLE!!! Start with Ana Buddies. Visit Ana sites, messages boards, email me, etc. and tell people that you want to recover. That way a) you're "out in the open" even if these people don't know you and can't make you do anything, it'll feel better to get it off your chest and b) you can talk about it, maybe get some tips from people who are in recovery, recovered or have friends that are either of those.

- Next, find someone you trust and tell them. I can almost guarantee that for most people this will be hard. But if you serious about getting out of this and you'll find the strength to tell someone. A teacher, counsellor, parent, friend, your doctor etc. Make a list of people you trust and tell them as soon as possible. You don't even have to tell them everything, just something simple. i.e " Hey, I need to talk to you about something. I've been feeling a little self-conscience for a while now and have been toying with some eating disorders ... I was hoping that maybe you could help me find some help " And maybe that sounds lame, but really, I mean don't lie to them or anything but you don't need to spring "Hey there I've been suffering ALONE for 6 years with anorexia and bulumia and now I really can't take it anymore and I need to go see a shrink. HELP ME!!! <<insert falling on knees and pulling on their clothing here while simultaneously bawling your eyes out>>" If you feel you need to do that, by all means. But the point is, whatever YOU are comfortable with is what you should say. Just make sure you get out there and tell someone, as soon as possible.

3. Eliminate Your Support Network

- You can't recover from a certain lifestyle if you're still submersed in it. Therefore, cut off your inspiration. If you have a book of "th"inspiration, posters of tiny models on your walls, or "Open Fire" as your ring tone, then you need to change all of that. You don't need to post pictures of healthy looking girls or whatever, just take down those ones. If you have an ana-buddy, politely email them and let them know you're into recovery. Chances are, they'll support you either way. So, no more posters etc. If you have specific triggers, try to avoid them. Put the scale in the kitchen so that you won't weigh yourself as often ( if anyone asks why say that it's bad to store them in the bathroom as they rust from the moisture: it's true by the way ), hide "Girl, Interrupted" until you're stronger etc. Just make things as ana-proof as possible. Detroy any copies you have of "The Thin Commandments" or "The Ana Creed" etc.

- Don't just elimate. Replace. Find an INspirational quote by Mother Theresa, the Bible or the Beatles, whoever, and memorize it. Say it to yourself when you feel tempted to restrict, or not eat etc. Find a happy song and listen to it when you are down, sing it to yourself etc.  Remember, don't MAKE yourself eat. That won't help. Eat when your body tells you that you are hungry. Don't binge. Try to eat dinner with the family etc. Bring a small lunch to school again and work your way up.

4. Convince Your Worst Enemy

- Hi, that's you. No one forced you to be ana or mia. BUT it's not your fault either. So who do you blame?! No one.  DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF!!! You can't guilt-trip yourself out of this. You want to build yourself UP not hurt the little self-value you still have!  You need to convince yourself that there is no going back. An interesting thing to try ... Stand in front of your mirror. Look yourself RIGHT in the eye and never break contact. Then tell yourself, in all seriousness, what exactly you are going to do. You sort of end up with a "well I sure told her/him" sort of feeling. It's weird. Try it. Let yourself know that you're gonna start treating you better, eating healthily, etc.