Discussion thread: eating disorders and the economy
In: Charlynn|Eating Disorders|General|Recovery|Relapse|Treatment
11 Nov 2008A post by Emmy at Frozen Oranges made me think about how the declining U.S. economy is affecting those of us with eating disorders. Consider the following:
- Rising prices are making it more difficult for everyone to afford the necessities, including food. For those in recovery, the inability to buy enough food might trigger a relapse. For those actively disordered, this is just another reason not to eat.
- Remuda Ranch reports that increasing numbers of people with eating disorders are wanting treatment but not seeking it because of costs. I find this understandable but sad. The sicker you are, both physically and in mindset, the harder it is to recover.
Has the state of the economy affected you in terms of your eating disorder? How so? Discuss!
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This is a blog where a roster of three regular writers and several guest writers comment on the latest news about eating disorders. It isn’t just a news feed, nor a personal journal – it’s a hybrid of both. We discuss the news with our own personal spin.
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6 Responses to Discussion thread: eating disorders and the economy
Tiptoe
November 11th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I think it has to a degree. I find myself being a lot more careful with what I buy and looking at prices a lot. I find myself frequenting Whole Foods less though I love the store. And when my mood is a wreck, budgeting sufficiently for food sometimes falls to the waste side.
emmy.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
it has affected me, but you already know that.. you posted about it. and thank you, by the way. it always gives me such a good feeling when people are so affected by my posts that they write a post off of it.
i think it’s so ridiculous. i hate to sound really childish, but it’s so unfair. ugh, i hate the sound of that phrase, but it is! i worked my ass off to get my head into a good place and have everyone and their mom (literally.. sometimes, even their grandmothers) tell me that i need to put weight on. i WANT to! i would LOVE to put 20 lbs on! but where the hell is that food going to come from? is it my fault that i wasn’t making enough money, and now i’m not making any? i feel like i’m losing my credibility as an actively recovering ED patient just because i can’t afford to keep my weight up.
sorry.. the whole situation makes me so angry. i can hold my own. my head is recovered.. i’m just hungry. but what about people who are still on that line of if-i-don’t-get-enough-nutrition-i-could-easily-relapse? and then with insurance cutting people off before they’re ready.. WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR TO GET US HELP?! it’s like the whole thing is a joke to these people.
something’s gotta change and it needs to start now. i can’t let this continue. it’s absurd.
again, my apologies. i’m all worked up now
Charlynn
November 13th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Tiptoe – Oh man, I *adore* Whole Foods. Since there isn’t a store where I live, Whole Foods is a special treat when my husband and I drive down to a place that has one. We (reasonably) indulge in a few things we can’t find where we live, but on the other hand, the last time we did that was before I went back to school and this whole economic crisis started spiraling. Now we’re trying to find ways to pinch pennies at Wal-Mart. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but we weren’t nearly as conscious about our food (and other essentials) bill before our retirement funds became worthless. Sign of the times, I guess.
Emmy – You *should* be worked up! I’m glad you are voicing this problem and more people should be doing the same. I really hope something changes because this problem will only grow.
Seriously, Emmy – start that nonprofit. You’re the perfect advocate. You are so passionate about this…you would fight to make things happen. I know it’s easy for me to say that when I have no idea what it takes to start and run a nonprofit, but if you have *any* know-how (or know someone who does), you really should consider doing it. Without someone like you to scream and yell and make things happen, no one’s going to acknowledge that this problem even exists.
eshoe
November 19th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Absolutely. I am one of those people who contacted Remuda Ranch. And even at my ‘discounted declining scale’ rate of $36,000, It’s nearly impossible for me to go IP. So I rely on my treatment team to provide the support I need, and pray I get betterbefore I get worse.
Charlynn
November 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Eshoe – I completely sympathize with your situation; I couldn’t afford IP treatment when I needed it, either. I hope your treatment team will get you through.
Emily O.
December 6th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
THIS IS SO TRUE. I’m in a day program where you bring your own food, and the meal plans they give you and expect you to follow are costly! I do it, but I need my food stamps, and I get really jealous of other patients bringing sushi, organic stuff, restaurant take-out, etc. Nutrition group is always about, organic or not? What restaurants are healthier? Vegan or not? I want a group about the poor recovering kids! I could NEVER eat organic!!