After suffering from eating disorders over the past three decades, a 43-year-old Canadian woman has gone public with her struggle and her decision to finally get help.

A Jan. 11 Abbotsford (British Columbia) News article by Vikki Hopes provided the following glimpse into the life of Carla Bartlett-Hitchings:

Carlas self-worth had been eroded by an abusive environment. She thought she was fat and ugly, and she wanted to look like that model.

Purging made her feel good; like she was in control in a world that was otherwise supremely chaotic. Subconsciously, it was a form of self-abuse: She didnt deserve better because she was so unloveable. &

Carlas eating disorder  bulimia for most of her life, turning to anorexia in the last year  stems from a childhood riddled with abuse: emotional, physical, verbal and sexual.

Her parents were both alcoholic, and her mom suffered from what was later diagnosed as bipolar disorder. Carla would often hide in her closet, the only place she felt safe from the insanity of her home.

Once the eating disorder took hold, Carla couldnt let go. It made her feel strong and empowered: I finally have control. Look what I can do.

I dont know why Im not dead, Bartlett-Hitchings said in the article. Maybe its to encourage people.

Labels: self-image_issues, overcoming_an_eating_disorder, overcoming bulimia, trauma

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When Emily Schlehuber first starting purging after meals, she didn't think anything was wrong. She was struggling with low self-esteem, which got worse after she and her boyfriend broke up. She was complimented on her weight loss, and only realized there was a problem when she started vomiting up blood.

In a July 15 article on Coloradan.com, writer Hallie Woods described Schlehuber's journey from disordered eater to pageant winner:

After a year and a half living with the disorder, Schlehuber confided in her father, who helped her seek treatment with a therapist and a nutritionist. She enrolled in a leadership program at Fossell Ridge where she began to realize her self-worth ...

Now 17 and still recovering from the disorder, Schlehuber is reaching out to others who suffer or are at risk of suffering from the same devastating effects of the disease.

In March, Emily was crowned "Miss Teen Colorado" for her work on eating disorder awareness. She not only speaks in junior high health classes but also serves in a consultation role with doctors at a local eating disorder recovery center.

Labels: bulimia, teenagers, overcoming bulimia

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Kari Sturt has spent six years facing and overcoming bulimia. What started as a desire to loose weight in high school quickly became an obsession.

"'I had to have something to control,' said Sturt, noting that the same is true of many others with eating disorders."

In college, Sturt began attending a support group. She recently began leading the group, and has conversations with girls who have had eating disorders symptoms since they were as young as six.

Read more at OroVillemer.com.

Labels: support, overcoming bulimia

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