However, going back to the more traditional view of eating disorders I thought I'd comment further on the things that happen as you recover. The previous post discussed the withdrawal effects your likely to come up against. Today I'd like to think about some of the crazy things that might occur as your body repairs and returns to normal.
Remember, if your suffering any symptoms and they're worrying you, speak to your doctor and reassure yourself.
The physiological processes of recovering from the different eating disorders, and some of the ways in which your body might respond to recovery differ from person to person. This is not a conclusive list, it is aimed at giving you a broad overview of what may occur as you go through recovery.
- Hormonal symptoms: Intense night sweats, maybe hot flashes, getting your period back and it lasting a lot longer.
- Stomach/GI issues: Pretty much any GI issue/digestive issue you can think of, occasional stomach pain, constipation (people often use laxatives and lose the ability to have a normal bowel movement).
- Any necessary "weight gain" may also go more to your stomach area at first which is normal as your body is trying to protect and restore your vital organs (very important).
- Bloating which will disapear if you just stick with it.
- Sleepiness: Seems weird that your finally eating yet your so tired all of a sudden. Your body has been adrenaline (catabolic) powered for so long that real food signals its first real repair (anabolic) phase so it takes its opportunity to use the fuel your giving it to start rebuilding.
These may all seem negative, in fact they will all seem negative while your going through them, but bear in mind that its all undoing the damage that had been done.
Some comments that people have made while undergoing the changes:
- my hair got fuller and brighter, though it took awhile
- my nails got less brittle
- my skin cleared up, no acne anymore
- my skin got softer, less dry
So, whilst they seem bad initially they lead to things that are good. We need your hormones back where they should be (you don't want to be starting the menopause do you). We need your digestive system working as you "are what you don't eliminate", if your not passing **** then you'll feel ****.
If you've not already, check out my previous post on cutting calories to see the list of symptoms of starvation and re-feeding.