What I've learned in my research about eating disorders is that a major part of the treatment is helping patients to better understand themselves and their lives and the struggles that have shaped them into who they are today. It is important not only discovering what were the life events that shaped the patient's eating disorder but also for recognizing and appreciating their future personal growth.
The process is important because it allows the patient to gain the pride and sense of acceptance that comes from understanding that they have lived a worth while life. When a patient finds meaning in her personal history it usually provides a direction for understanding the illness and ways to accept the changes that take place as she ages.
This is the last entrée I have for Sydne's journal. It is very positive but it was written months ago.
"May compassion for yourself always be the guiding force as you continue on your path of health, happiness, and fulfillment. You so deserve it."
You know, she is right! I do deserve it and so do so many others out there. I took some time one day and asked a woman I saw daily on the same street corner begging for money if she as hungry and she was, so I took her across the street to a Subway and got her something to eat and drink.
As we were sitting there I asked her if she would tell me how she had gotten to the point she is at today. She had looked at me as if I were asking a child what they wanted from a toy store.
She told me no one has ever asked her that before. People just assumed she was a drunk or druggy when, in fact, she never drank or did drugs in her life. I had only spent 30-45 minutes with her that day, but to her that was winning the lottery in so many ways. Someone care about her that day, someone asked about her and didn't show judgment or criticize her for the decisions she made. During my recovery I was given that and I want to continue to show that towards those who so deserve it.
Sydne is having her ups and downs this year and hanging in, working to keep her life together. Her life is much like ours… it is a struggle.
To your good health.
Ruthan Brodsky
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