Yesterday was a sticker day!
In Reply To:
One thing that I have been told (haven't quite been able to embrace yet though) is that even when things are not going to plan and I have started to binge, if I notice it and then stop, I should give myself credit for that. Currently I don't. But it makes a lot of sense that you should get credit for stopping an action as much as never starting it.
I have struggled with that too. This is how I've thought through it: - Stopping is regaining control. Rather than letting the emotions/urges control you/direct your behavior, you are taking charge again. It's like when you're substitute teaching and the kids are being just AWFUL because you're a sub and they think they can get away with it. You can either let them, and be walked all over, or you can stand up for yourself. Stopping bingeing is consciously standing up to your eating disorder and saying HEY. BUG OFF.
-Non-theoretical perspective: I'm always happy when I can STOP bingeing because if I kept doing it, I'd consume a whole bunch more calories.
Do you have trouble with black-and-white thinking? It comes down to challenging that and accepting some grey. We're temped to say "I binged, I screwed up, no sticker" when the reality is you actively fought the ED by stopping. So that's somewhere in the middle of choosing a healthier behavior than bingeing to deal with whatever emotions [and not bingeing at all] and bingeing with complete abandon.
maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD