What are /r/bulimia's favorite Products & Services?

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I’ve heard Betternet is a more affordable counseling option for some people. My friend actually uses it and says it helps her. Not sure if this is something that would work for you but maybe it’s worth looking into.

Please remember to look for progress over perfection. Having slip ups doesn’t mean you have to start over look for small steps to improve from the day before. I use an Intuitive eating & self love journal it has really helped me during this journey.

Edit: If you’re interested in the journal the creator posted the contents on Instagram

I feel this, something I really struggle with is knowing that my disorder could ruin my partner's life, not just my own. I love him so much.

I made a post today recommending a book, I think maybe you would benefit from it. Having your partner already know and available to support you, could help you to follow the program in this book. Only thing that has given me any hope in a LONG time. They ask you to try this method for 6 months, I'm 1 week in. I had 2 slip ups on the first day and nothing since. I don't expect it to be smooth sailing but I am giving it all I've got.

"The Bulimia Help Method" by Alison Kerr. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00PB7JI5A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_image_o04?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Low self esteem is something I struggled with too. The good news is that recovery can help you find that sense of self worth as well as finding meaning and purpose in your life. I strongly recommend reading 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder. This book really helped me in both of those areas. Best of luck to you! 💕

I would get some electrolyte powder. Not saying to keep throwing up, but if you are going to then get some because you are messing with important minerals and electrolytes that help your body and your heart. I used to take them. Get something like this https://www.amazon.com/Mineral-Republic-Sugar-free-Electrolytes-Multiminerals/dp/B08TV53D7X/ref=sr_1_28?keywords=electrolytes+powder&qid=1649802391&s=hpc&sprefix=electrol%2Chpc%2C340&sr=1-28

Here is a link! They also have a non-workbook version, but it has mostly the same info, so I opted to get the workbook only. There’s also a good intuitive eating community on Reddit.

https://www.amazon.com/Intuitive-Eating-Workbook-Principles-Relationship/dp/1626256225

VSL#3 - Probiotic Medical Food... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083STQVBP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share these are pricey but SO effective like the day or day after I started taking them I noticed the difference

I'm sorry to hear your daughter is struggling right now. I went through terrible depression, anxiety and my eating disorder as a young person and witnessed how hard it was on my parents.

Early intervention is incredibly important. I spent 15 plus years with an eating disorder and I wish I had gotten help when my behaviors first presented. I would look for a therapist that specializes in eating disorders. Eating disorders are incredibly complex and they require someone who is trained in this area.

People with eating disorders often struggle with help seeking. Eating disorders will convince the person suffering that it "isn't a big deal" or it "isn't that bad." There is also a lot of shame associated with binging and purging and people with eating disorders often don't want to burden others with their problems.

You are already doing the most important thing which is seeking professional help. The next best thing you can do for your daughter is to be there for her. Let her know she can come to you with anything and that you will never judge her. You can even encourage her to reach out to you if she feelings like binging or purging.

I also highly recommend the book 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder. This was the single most helpful book I used in recovery. It is written by Carolyn Costin who an eating disorder therapist, expert in the field and ED survivor.

Best of luck to you and your daughter. ❤️

I'm so sorry you're struggling right now. You are not alone and we are all here to support you.

I struggled with shame for so long. I couldn't bear the thought of telling someone how bad things really were The problem was that the more I kept things to myself, the more isolated and sick I became. A huge turning point in my recovery was telling someone. Being in the grips of an eating disorder is like being in quicksand, you can try to pull yourself out on your own but you often end up struggling more and being sucked in further. You need someone to help pull you out of the sand.

I'm going to post an excerpt from the book 8 Keys To Recovery From an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin. I highly recommend getting this book. It was probably one of the single best resources I used in recovery.

"Shame is a huge deterrent for a lot of people struggling with eating disorders. It is important to know that shame actually dissipates as you share your struggles and your true self with others. Being ashamed of your behaviors will not go away because you keep them private. In fact, not sharing them will only reinforce your negative feelings about yourself. The only way to get past your shame is to begin to share yourself and see that most other people still accept you afterwards. Honesty actually brings people closer together, not further apart. There are people in the world who are not kind. There are others who, for whatever reason, will not be able to support you, the goal is to find those who can." -Carolyn Costin

This is one of the hardest eating disorders to beat. If you have only newly begun purging, please consider stopping immediately.

And yes, the fact that you feel "good" after purging is because the reward system in your brain is whack. It perceives purging and restriction as a reward, and treatment can help you reprogram (citation below).

Citation: Decoding Anorexia: How Breakthroughs in Science Offer Hope for Eating Disorders https://www.amazon.com/dp/0415898676/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_CNSGJJ8PPBGPF0FKXEZD

I'm so sorry you are struggling. Just know that you are not alone and so many people struggle with binge eating. One of the best ways to recover is to seek professional help. Reaching out is one of the hardest steps in recovery but it's also one of the most important. A therapist or coach can help you understand where you are now, and what you need in order to recover from binge eating.

If getting help isn't an option there are lots of books and podcasts out there about binge eating and binge eating recovery. A lot of people have been helped by the book Brain Over Binge by Kathryn Hansen. She also has a free podcast, Brain over Binge Podcast, that you might find helpful.

There is hope and you don't have to keep living this way. There are so many ways to recover and its just a matter of finding what works for you. This can take time and patience but I promise it is worth it. Sending lots of love and support. 💗

Eat low-calorie foods that fill you up so then you wouldn't need to purge. I eat lettuce, baby carrots and other vegies, mashed potatoes, buckwheat. Soups are good too, I like this ramen with slices of ham + a bit of cheese for flavor usually keeps me satiated for 4-6 hours. I eat twice a day: lunch at 10am-noon and 2nd meal at 5 pm.

Salt raises appetite so try to avoid eating stuff that's salty as that will make you consume more food. Same with sweetstuff. If you have a sweet tooth, Gymnema sylvestre reduces sugar cravings.

Keep a journal of stuff you eat and your purging habbits. See what works and keep doing that and what doesn't work, so you can try something else.

This is great! I have found structured, regular small meals to be the best way for me to recover without feeling too full (i.e. wanting to purge). I eat 6 small meals or snacks every 2-3 hours and never go more than 3 hours without eating. I eat a regular dinner every night but nothing too big, rest of my eating is regular amounts of food just split up basically.

This book was really important in my recovery: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00PB7JI5A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Invest in a time locking box (https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Safe-Locking-Container-Height/dp/B00E9J3MLM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=kitchen+lock+box&qid=1615773980&sr=8-5)

Go to the grocery store and get your food for the week and take out a marginal amount of cash if you need for emergencies then put all your debit/credit cards in it and set the time/days. Or you could even go by the day. If you know you cave in the afternoon/evening (same), put your cards/cash in it and set the lock so that you can't access until the next day. Since you order online and it saves your card info, maybe delete your account for the time being that way you can order anything even if your cards are locked up.

If it has alcohol (almost all do) then it's is harmful. Try looking for alcohol free mouthwashes. Flouride is a bonus. I really like this one.

hey thanks for sharing. our stories are incredibly similar and i'm at the same point you are right now. to say i'm fed up is an understatement.

have you reached out to anyone irl such as a therapist? i am working on getting a therapist as well as a nutritionist atm.

i just purchased a workbook on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Dialectical-Behavior-Therapy-Workbook-Bulimia/dp/1572246197/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1544555472&sr=8-3&keywords=bulimia+workbook

someone recommended that to me. hoping that will help. i'm so scared of going back to where i was.

Hey, I think it's so wonderful that you chose to make changes! Do you have a plan or are you just taking it day by day?

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I don't know if you've heard of that book but something that could be helpful in addition is reading "Brain over Binge" by Kathryn Hansen. She's actually managed to recover by making use of the whole "uhm ok maybe I should just stop, so LET'S" approach and talks about it in detail, which is so encouraging.

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I just noticed that the audiobook is free on Amazon! And I happen to have the pdfs of her books. I'm not sure I'm allowed to link them here but if you're interested just let me know and I'll upload them and send them straight to you!