Being Assertive
Editor - I am writing in response to Clare Lindsay's article about eating disorders and assertiveness.
I was severely anorexic from the age of 12 until 21, during which time I was close to death several times. I had multiple hospital admissions, having lost weight again after each discharge. I saw many counsellors and psychiatrists, but nothing made any difference to my anorexia. Although it began as away to make me feel in control of my life, it had become a deadly master which controlled my every thought and action.
After nine traumatic years most people, including me, thought that I was beyond help. It was at that point that a "miracle" happened. in her article, Clare Lindsay states that assertiveness is a key part of recovery from anorexia, and I agree with her. for me, this came with the understanding that I am created by god in his image and he loves each and every one of us. We are all unique and of equal value. Until then I had been trying to make myself "acceptable" by starvation, exercise, and self-denial. When I began to understand that my value did not depend on my weight, appearance, or level of exercise, but on the fact that god loves and accepts me as I am, I felt completely liberated and no longer required the anorexia to enable me to cope with life.
Eating disorders are potentially fatal and their prevalence is increasing. They are complex, seemingly illogical illnesses, which are difficult to understand unless you are a sufferer. Those who have been through the experience of an eating disorder are uniquely placed in terms of the understanding and empathy they can offer to current sufferers, and as health professionals we have a duty to take every opportunity to use our experiences to help our patients.
I am now entering my fourth year of medical school and am able to enjoy my life in a way that I would never have believed possible while in the tight grip of anorexia.
My recovery from anorexia was made with the help of the Kainos Trust, a Christian organisation committed to helping people reach and sustain full recovery from eating disorders through practical teaching, Christian principles, and personal support. If any readers would like to contact them the website is www.kainostrust.co.uk
studentBMJ 2001;09:261-304 August ISSN 0966-6494
- Lindsay C. being assertive. studentbmj 2001;9:239.(july.)
