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Gary's Example
Eating Disorder

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Two months ago, I put on a pair of jeans I hadn't worn since my 13-pound weight gain. I was getting dressed after my shower and could barely zip them up. My once-loose jeans were now too tight. I thought I had become grossly overweight and that I was too disgusting to look at. These were the thoughts I had as I began to work myself up.

I immediately experienced tenseness, palpitations, racing thoughts and lowered tones. I had a strong impulse to call my fiancée and cancel our date because I could no longer bear my weight gain.

I soon spotted that feelings aren't facts and that acting on my impulse to give up on Recovery would have been symptom led, not self-led. I spotted that every act of self-control leads to greater self-respect and that the will to bear discomfort leads to increased comfort. I also spotted that my insecure thoughts would lead to more fear and that replacing them with secure thoughts would bring peace. Finally, I spotted that feelings rise and fall if we don't attach danger to them.

In former days, I would have criticized myself and called myself obscene and cruel names. I would have written myself nasty notes. I would have gone into a depression, vowing not to leave the house except to buy binge food. I would have gone on a crash diet, exercised compulsively and then binged and purged with every ounce energy left in me.

Further Spotting!

Susan— Gary has learned to become aware of his symptoms—his palpitations, racing thoughts and lowered tones. When he noticed them, he remembered to start spotting.

Marie— His way of reacting before Recovery only led to more fear and a vicious cycle between symptoms and the working-up process.

Lee— I spot that comfort is a want and not a need. Gary wanted to leave so he wouldn't have to bear his symptoms. But he knows he needs to bear the discomfort that his nervous symptoms produce so he can get well. It’s simple but not easy!

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