Community Magazine

Eating Disorder Independence

By Survivingana @survivingana

This is fantastic. A sufferer of an eating disorder has written herself a declaration of independence to help her stay recovered and not relapse at certain times of the year. She posted it to the Libero Network by JessicaClayton-Matthews and I have reposted without her name, so you can see how you can do this for yourself.

A Declaration of Independence from ED’s Body Image Commandments

It becomes necessary for myself,  ………….. , to dissolve the bonds that have connected me with an eating disorder, and to assume the positive body image to which recovery entitles me.

I hold these truths to be self-evident:

  • All bodies are created equal.
  • My body is endowed with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
  • Secure to these rights, recovery is instituted.
  • Whenever any behavior becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of myself and my treatment team to alter or abolish it and institute new behaviors that will positively impact my safety and happiness. When a long train of abuses and usurpation from my eating disorder negatively impacts my mental and physical health in the summer, it is my right, and it is my duty, to overthrow my eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. The history of ED (my eating disorder) is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over my body and mind. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
  • ED has forced me to restrict and over-exercise in hopes of achieving an unrealistic “summer body.” This beahvior has led to illness, hospitalization, and worsened body dysmorphia.
  • ED has demanded that I give up cake and other celebratory foods on my own birthday. I do not remember the last time I enjoyed a birthday.
  • ED has forbidden me from wearing shorts, crop tops, and bathing suits if I exceed a certain weight.
  • ED has taken away all enjoyment of pool parties, trips to the beach, and barbeques by comparing my body to everyone else’s and telling me that I do not measure up.
  • ED has compelled me to lie to my treatment team and loved ones about my behaviors.

In every stage of these oppressions, I have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; my repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.

I, therefore, ……..  , do solemnly publish and declare, that my mind and body are free and independent entities; that they are absolved from all allegiance to ED, and that all connection between them and ED is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as a free and independent person, I have full power to:

  • Follow my meal plan
  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
  • Accept and love my body at its set point weight
  • Eat cake on my birthday
  • Wear bathing suits, shorts, crop tops, and whatever I please
  • Enjoy summer activities such as pool parties, trips to the beach, and barbecues
  • Do all other acts and things which independent people in recovery have the right to do

Signed,

Your name
(I will have my treatment team sign this as well).


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