#Bulimia and hair thinning

[health-and-fitness-care]

Eating Disorders and Hair Loss

Eating Disorders and Hair Loss The symptoms of anorexia and the disorder of binge eating are among the eating disorders that frequently cause hair loss as a side effect. In addition to having an impact on a person’s emotional and physical well-being, these conditions can also cause a variety of physical symptoms, such as hair loss. We will examine how eating disorders can cause hair loss as well…

[seungkwanniee]

pairing : idol!seventeen x fem!reader

genre : angst , little fluff too

warnings : eating disorder , anorexia , bulimia , vomit (seungkwan , vernon , dino) , mention of food , mention of starving for hours (seungkwan) , half naked body (joshua) , pet names

synopsis : s.o. having truble with food

an : it's a really deep topic to be written , so if you don't feel comfortable with it , I ask you to not read it. I tried to not making it tooo angst and I think you can deffo say it (i'm a little dissatisfied 😭). Plus, I've been through this , so I know what i'm talking about.

(masterlist)

SCOUPS 』

wants to talk to you as soon as he notice the bad habit you was growing

when one day he got off pratice later, and see that you prepared a meal only for him, he decided that it was the day

the excuse "I've already eaten" was too weak for him, didn't belived it for a sec

drags your chair closer to him effortlessly

"what's up with you, sweetheart?"

he leans closer to your face, now his breath slightly tickling your neck

hand on your thing, while the other tucks your hair behind your ears

looks up at you with puppy mixed authoritative look

would stay silent until you don't open your mouth to give him explanations

deffo would put you between his legs, feeding you and pratically forcing you to eat

looks at you so proudly when you finish a meal

JEONGHAN 』

he is smart, he knows immediatly when something is off

notice how he doesn't catch you eating your favorite snack at the same anymore, they aren't even in your kitchen shelf anymore

starts buying it for you, but he is pouts when he sees that you still don't eat them. All the red packaging sitting there waiting to be opened

"love, can I know why you don't eat your snacks? you don't like them anymore?"

he acts dumb, he wants to hear the reason slip out your mouth

when you admit your fears to him, he decides to actually take control

(as the relationship is public) he decide to do lives togheter while eating, trying to distact you from what you are actually doing

JOSHUA 』

he opens the bathroom door without thinking too much 'bout it, he tought you was napping in your shared room

well, it wasn't really like this

"oh, im sor- honey..."

he was about to leave when he noticed you was in bathroom instead, but rethinking his choice when he see the scene folding in front of his eyes

from above your clothes, he didn't notice how thin you've got. He is blaming himself for sure

his eyes looks at your tiny and fragile figure, only underwear was covering you

shivers go downs his spine when he can see clearly the form of your ribs

"come here, don't look at it" he refers to the nosense number written down here

and when he talks about it to Jeonghan, blaming himself, oh man he is crying like a kid when he don't get what he wants

JUN 』

Jun is so lost when you don't accept your usually month chinese resturant date

he overthinks it so much: "I made her angry?" "I forgot a date?"

but he will just overthink all alone, by himself. Maybe it's not just the right week for your date, university can be stressing

He would ask some days later, hoping you was craving Chinese food as he was

but when he recives another no, I think he might tear up

"i'm asking Minghao then"

may sound mad, but he was the saddest man living right now

you can notice his little pout and his eyes was saying evrything he wasn't

that's when you decided to tell him the truth behind your rejecting, it hurts you see your man like this

he is in shock when you confess him your worrys

he holds your waist, reassuring you

"we can eat something delicious togheter? only a little bit"

loving him bye

HOSHI 』

when he runs into you, crying in front of a meal, he is so shocked

he would pout for a sec, too stunned to move

at the start, he don't even thinks that the main problem it's right in front of him

he hugs you, letting your head rest on his stomach, petting your hair

"cutie, something happened at work? someone said something to you?"

PANICKED BOY

when the only thing he can hear are your little sobs, he coups your face making you look him straight on his face

when you finally open to him, he is almost crying too. How his beloved can think this strict of her?

cuddle until you fall asleep, while his mind a mess of solutions he is trying to think

WONWOO 』

you climb on the bed with a bowl with the only things you've been eating lately

you like to sit here and watch your pretty gamer boyfriend playing some dumb games

you tought he wouldn't even notice you, seeing how immersed in the game he is everytime

but it wasn't really like this

"can i know why I only see you eating bananas and ice"

he turns around togheter with gamer chair, moving to his neck his headphones. Sign to tell you indirectly that his attention is all on you now

makes jump from surprise for his deep but caring voice and for his sudden moves

absolutely panicked because you don't know if to tell him the truth

moves his head on the side with an halfmoon smile to encourage you to speak

once he knows how the things actually are, he have the sweetest words for you

starts to buy recipes book so you can have baking dates and you can eat properly

WOOZI 』

usually, when you are around his studio, you would order something to eat togheter

anyway, this was the third time that you didn't even mention food

from his comfy chair, he eyes you laying on the little sofa playing with your silly games on the phone

despite he's being busy clicking something on his laptop, he would notice how you clutch your stomach painfully

so, he just decide to order you two food without even telling you

knows you too well to already know that you would reject every kind of food he would propose

he wasn't even hungry, but he will not let her girlfriend eat all alone knowing she is struggling

"ji, did you ordered food?"

you frown when a bag of tteokbokki already cooked it is delivered to the studio door

just smirks, already saved everything on his computer so now nothing can disturb your meal

DOKYEOM 』

today Jeonghan and Seungkwan invited over some of you to eat dinner

you was mad nervous, after some weird thoughts invaded your mind

"baby, we already done it so many times, why you're nervous today?"

he looks at you for a sec worried

one hand on the wheel, while the other caress your knee

you don't want to worry him, it would just ruin the dinner because he is worried for you

you shake it off, knowing tho he didn't buy it

but you're safe for now, no?

no you weren't

as soon as you two get out of the car, he grabs your wrist making you lean closer to his chest

"I can tell something is bothering you, plese don't lie to me"

he cups your cheeks, looking at you straight into your eyes

they look so worried, so you know your making things worst for not letting him know as he should, so you decide to tell him

he reassures you the whole dinner, not forcing you to eat to not making you overwhelmed

a kiss on your forhead or on you cheeks every now an then is a must. It's like he is saying he is here for you

MINGYU 』

he ALWAYS cooks for you, never letting you doing it

(also because you are a mess at cooking)

meanwhile he is cooking, you'd always be around him, trying to eat something

tho, today it's not like this

he finds so weird and empty the kitchen without you messing around

but he just thinks you are busy studing for your upcoming exam

it couldn't go worst when he calls you because the food is ready, and you reject it

"baby, why you're acting weird today?"

he comes to your room with a plate of food, a no isn't in his list

when you say for the umpteenth time that you aren't hungry, and him not buying it, you decide to admit it

"baby..." he slightly pouts wrapping his arms around you

"tell me something you would eat now, i'm making it"

would cook you thousand dishes only to see you eating

MINGHAO 』

gives you a side eye when you reject the snack he was trying to feed you

but this looked too weird to him

he can see how you aren't focused at all on the tv playing a comedy film

you were eyeing the food your boyfriend was putting in his mouth

"i'm full, eat them"

liar, he could ate another thousand of them but he wanted you eat them

he leans closer the plate to you, so you can easly picking it

boy wasn't going to give up when neither this time you were eating it

so he just decide to cling on you, and feeding you them

at this point you were too hungry to say no

SEUNGKWAN 』

it was common that Seungkwan mother would pack some leftovers for you two, as you both adore her kitchen

when Seungkwan come home with a bowl of food, you involuntarily wrinkle your nose in disapproval

he was OFFENDED, like how you can make a face for HIS mother food

you didn't want to expose yourself too, so you just keep it quite

he started to eat alone, giving you side eye

but he was feeling too bad for you, you wasn't eating dinner and you should always eat properly

"come here" he pat his tight, giving you an hint

the chopstick he was holding were keeping in balance the food

you really wanted to say no, but you didn't want to make him more upset and you didn't touch food since last night

you were going almost one day without feeding yourself that you were scared you was going to throw up as soon as you would put something in your mouth

you end up sitting on his lap, being feeded by your boyfriend that was making you laugh so much

VERNON 』

vernon didn't minded that much when you quickly got up and went straight to the bathroom

you don't stay in it for too much, so why he should worry for something innocent?

he would bump in you eating late at night, a pretty good amount of food

he would just think that you're cute with your cheeks fluffly and full of food

he kiss your cheek, mess with your hair and go to sleep again after whising you a goodnight

he started to get suspicious when a day, after having snacks, he heard weird noises inside of it

"babe? you kay?" he knocks the bathroom door

deffo not okay as you don't answer him and the worrying noise continue

now he can't do nothing but enter even without your permission

the scene folding in front of her eyes completely breaks his cold heart

you kneeling in front of the toilet, your arms shaking and your back going up and down because of his sobs WASN'T something he wanted ever see

patting your head, trying to mantain his calm behavior because its what you need right now

never ever letting you using the bathroom after eating again

DINO 』

"take a bite" he hands you the sandwich he was eating

Dino got hungry mid day, so he just decided to do a sandwich, not before asking you if you wanted to eat too

he was feeling guilty eating right in your face, without you having atleast a bite

how you can't be hungry too?

"come on honey" he repeats after you shaked your head

he can't do nothing, he can't see you looking at him eating. You should eat properly too

Dino at the end of the day always wins with you, but at what cost?

as soon as the sandwich touches your tongue, a weird and annoying feeling it expands in your mouth

you quickly get up running to the bathroom, the feeling of thorwing up was too strong to let you pretend nothing

he drops the sandwhich, don't even know where, and he runs after you

completly blaming himself for pushing you and don't noticing something was off

he holds your hair back, caressing your back and apologizing maybe too many times

after this, now he always make sure he doesn't force you in ANYTHING

it kinda traumatized him

[nekrosdolly]

healing

leon comforts you after you relapse.

cw; BULIMIA, eating disorder talk and mentions, vomit, afab!reader, unspecified age gap, older!leon, alcoholism mentions and references, recovery, relapsing, binging mentions. please, under any circumstances, do not read if any of this may trigger you.

a/n; this was a request from an anon, and though i told myself i wasn't taking requests, something in me felt compelled to do this one!

you really did try, but recovery has never been linear. leon has told you that same thing before, too. with his alcoholism, it was the same story. he'd do great for a few days, weeks even, and then it would all crumble at the mere scent of alcohol. all in all, he knows that while recovering, someone is more fragile. sensitive, so to speak. you're no different.

you'd been doing great so far- no binging, no vomiting, and less exercise. you hadn't been so hypervigilant about how you look. your boyfriend, leon, has been a great help. he's always reassured you whenever you had doubts about your appearance, lapses, or whatever comes up, he's there. he knows you've struggled with this for a long time and he doesn't make you feel bad or weird about it, unlike the other people that had come before him.

he's different in the way you need, and you appreciate that.

you knew today would be bad, but you still held out hope. even when you woke up to not one, but a few new zits on your face, and your hair awry and seemingly unmanageable. even when you did your skincare routine and somehow your cleanser got in your eyes, which burned like hell. even when the shower randomly went cold and ruined your morning. everything was out of your control and that had triggered something in you. you'd never been much of a control freak.

except for this. where you are now, retching up your breakfast as quietly as humanly possible so as not to disturb leon. but that's the thing with trained agents. their hearing sharpens, their senses heighten, so it's no surprise that after you're done ridding yourself of your stomach's contents, that he's entering the bathroom. and you're still there, kneeling before the toilet with bile coating the innards of your mouth and esophagus, your face sickly and somewhat grey.

he's concerned, as any good boyfriend would be. he grabs a washcloth without a word and wets it, then kneels down beside you to wipe the bile off your lips. to you, it feels like a waste of effort. to him, he's showing he cares.

"i'm sorry." are the first words to leave your mouth, "i said i was going to get better a-and now i'm not."

"we've had this talk before, baby." he murmurs, setting the washcloth in the sink.

"c'mon, let's get you some water." he pulls you up from the floor with gentle and warm hands, then flushes the toilet's contents.

✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡♡˚

in the kitchen, you rinse your mouth out with the cup of water he's provided for you in a desperate attempt to get rid of the bitter yet sour taste lingering on your tongue, and the feeling coating your gums. he rubs your back slowly, his warmth seeping through the thin material of your shirt. you haven't changed out of your pajamas since you woke up, and by the likes of how the day is going, you aren't going to. he presses a kiss to your hair and wraps his arm around your waist, trying to make you feel at least a little better.

he takes the hand you'd been using to force yourself into throwing up and rinses them off, even though there's nothing on them besides dried saliva (and the slightest bit of stomach acid.) you lean against him, a soft sigh leaving you.

"you know, i'm not mad at you." he says, now patting your fingers dry with a kitchen towel.

you look up at him, a little confused.

"you apologized earlier."

"oh."

"yeah. i just want you to know that i'm not mad at you for relapsing. y'know, it happens, and i'd be lying if i said i didn't think about doing it either." his words somehow bring you a small sense of comfort, that familiar warmth in your chest sparking.

"i'm glad you didn't." you mutter, a slight rasp to your voice.

he chuckles dryly, "yeah, so am i. it's hard, i know, but you can do it. someday, you won't even think about it anymore."

you shake your head softly. "it's not the same as drugs, or alcohol. it's rewired my brain."

he nods his understanding.

"well, whatever it is, you're not alone in this. i'll always be here to support you in any way you need me to." he gives your side a small squeeze and you rest your head against his shoulder.

you know, deep down, that he's trying his best to help. at times, namely today, you find that he's succeeded in his mission. he's seen you at your worst as well as your best and he's stayed. the promise ring he gave you a few months prior proves that he's more than likely staying for the rest of your days.

that thought, in and of itself, warms you up a little more.

[newlyy]

The new Kate Middleton theory I’m believing is the bulimia/nervous breakdown theory. She was very thin before, wore wigs (hair loss?), had the bulimia knuckle injuries for awhile prior, and had unspecified abdominal surgery with a very long recovery

[jonah-hauer-kingofmyheart]

Food

Pairing: Boyfriend!Jonah x Fem!Bulimic!Reader

Summary: You've been hiding something from your boyfriend, Jonah. Little do you know, he has some suspicions of his own

Warning: vomiting, r has bulimia, eating disorder, hurty fluff, soft

a/n: trigger warning

You and Jonah have been dating for almost 6 months. it pains you terribly to keep secrets from him, but 6 months is still to early to tell how he might react. You've always been insecure about your body, but have maintained a fit figure through exercising. This doesn't mean that your body's always been healthy, though. Your eating disorder has caused numerous health problems, and even erosion of your teeth. You've tried therapist after therapist but nothing seems to help. It happens each time you eat. If you're with your boyfriend, or other company, you excuse yourself to the bathroom. Throw up. Splash water on your face. Slight primp then head back to the table. Jonah has noticed this pattern, but doesn't think much of it. He has noticed your thinness, but also your muscle, so he assumes your healthy. He cares so much, but doesn't want to pry.

~~

It was a bit different than standard date night. Jonah decided that he would surprise you with a romantic dinner at home. At dinner time, he called your name from downstairs. After a final swipe of mascara, you called back "Coming!" And trotted down the stairs, taking in the sight of a table set for two, with steaming plates of pasta, a platter of warm bread, finished with two candlesticks, standing tall. Right beside your chair, ready to pull it out for you was your boyfriend. He had the biggest look of pride in himself. He was smiling so wide his dimples deepened and his eyes crinkled.

"Oh, Jonah!" You said, placing a hand over your heart, "I love it!"

You ran forward and embraced him, standing on your tiptoes to close the height difference so he could kiss you.

"Of course, love, only the best for the best."

You swore you physically swooned right then and there. You sat, savoring the delicious meal, cooked by Jonah, of course. You chatted about the silliest things, as though you were two kids on a first date. dinner was wrapped up, plates cleared, as you told Jonah you were just going to pop up to the bathroom. He acknowledged, and you left. Jonah pondered. He was a worried about you more these days. you seemed, if anything, to be... thinner than usual? Like a fragile leaf that could be swept out of his arms by a gentle gale. You hadn't returned after a few minutes, and Jonah, already concerned, decided to check on you. As he was coming up the stairs he heard it. The retching. Not wanting to alarm you, he gently knocked on the door and pressed his ear against it.

"Y/n? Babe? You ok?" he asked, concern drenching his words.

A moment of silence from wishing the bathroom as you sat there riddled with anxiety.

"I-" You started, but never finished.

"Y/n? I'm coming in, ok?"

The door clicked. It was a sad sight, Jonah, concerned, standing in the doorway, you, small, sad, defeated, sitting next to a toilet with floating bits of undigested food. Jonah collapsed next to you, stroking hair away from your face, and taking your hands. Neither of you said anything. You looked at him, he looked at you. Tears in both your eyes. You broke down in his arms. He held you, just letting you cry and cry as you needed. He stroked your hair and whispered sweet nothings to you. You looked up at him with a tear stained face.

"Love, what's wrong?" He asked, looking you in the eyes.

You sniffed, your eyes darting away. You defiantly stared at the wall as you told him. "I have bulimia." You confessed, your voice breaking. Jonah said nothing as he processed. You so dearly wished that he would. He swallowed hard, tears falling over his eyelashes as blinked tears. He looked down at you, wiping your tears before speaking.

"We'll get through this."

[rainbowsag52]

“Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder”

2022

Eric Taipale

Discover

Feature

This pitch letter is part of The Open Notebook’s Pitch Database, which contains 304 successful pitches to a wide range of publications. To share your own successful pitch, please fill out this form.

The Story

“Understanding Body Dysmorphic Disorder” https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/understanding-body-dysmorphic-disorder by Eric Taipale Discover, March 23, 2022

The Pitch

Pitch: “Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder a ‘Feminine Illness?’”

Hi Angela,

I hope you had a great weekend! The following pitch is for a proposed article entitled, “Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder a ‘Feminine Illness?’” which I suggest being published in the Mind section of Discover Magazine’s website. If this piece’s outlined summary and details do not align with your expertise, please forward this email to someone who may assist in publishing this work. Additionally, I would complete this assignment within two weeks of this pitch’s acceptance.

Whether our concerns are centred on the size of our nose or the placement of our eyebrows, from time to time, we may look in the mirror and notice the parts of our bodies that may generate feelings of self-consciousness, and although these insecurities may evoke minor discomfort, it does not interfere with our lives. But, for the 1 in 50 individuals afflicted with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental health problem that is connected to intense, distressing feelings about one’s body, they may spend between three and eight hours a day obsessing about their perceived flaws; some even undergoing multiple cosmetic procedures to subdue their stress. The disorder is very distressing, possibly impairing relationships with family and friends, and is commonly associated with suicidal ideation; a health concern present in approximately 80% of individuals with BDD, with around one-quarter attempting suicide.

Although some are quick to designate body dysmorphic disorder as a mental health problem that primarily affects female adolescents, researchers have suggested otherwise. In fact, The International OCD Foundation has suggested that 40% of people with BDD are males and their concerns were different from their female counterparts. A study published in BMC Psychiatry supported this claim after concluding that women feel dysphoric towards their personal perception of body fat, skin, and teeth. Men, however, seemed more concerned with appearing too thin, hair loss, and height. Despite this being a brief outline, I will review more studies that suggest similar, scientifically supported claims. Another facet of discussion will explore the role of cosmetic/beauty ads and bullying in the onset of BDD in both males and females.

Like my other articles, I aim to draw from first-hand accounts and leading scientific research of BDD to disseminate information surrounding the statistical and psychological differences between males and females who are diagnosed with the disorder along with how these differences may manifest in real-world clinical examples. The article will also cover both the therapeutic and pharmacological methods in treating BDD. In addition to covering the symptoms and complications, a section of this work will also take an in-depth approach to analyze its comorbidity with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating. Needless to say, this article—if published—would be of immeasurable importance to science-focused readers, capturing the attention of both professionals, scholars, and the recently diagnosed who are interested in learning about body dysmorphic disorder. It will also debunk the widespread claim that BDD is a “feminine illness;” potentially imploring more males to discuss their body image difficulties.

Moreover, the subject of body dysmorphia remains uncovered on Discover Magazine’s website, so the publication of the proposed work could also fill the large information gap present in the magazine. Since this subject covers a mental health disorder, I will also ensure that relevant content and information are included with sensitivity and mindfulness. For the sake of original reporting, I will be interviewing [over email] various experts who study body dysmorphic disorder, such as Monzani Benedetta of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College in London and the author of Challenging OCD in Young People With ASD. Additionally, I will also aim to gather statements from clinical psychiatrists Dr. Katharine Phillips, M.D. and Dr. David Veale FRCPsych, MD. Their insight—if provided—will be incorporated into the article.

I appreciate your consideration! If you have any questions or are interested in this project, please email me back at your earliest convenience!

Best wishes,

Eric

erictaipale.com

[scoopssquad1440]

It’s Not Easy E.M.

Eddie comforts reader who struggles with anxiety and an eating disorder (symptoms align with anorexia/bulimia), body dysmorphia

Warnings: Eating disorder discussion, body dysmorphia, self-deprecating reader, self-harming, discussions of body and appearance, reader is written female, recreational drug use, ED recovery

Authors note: This suggestion was given to me from a friend, and it really hits home. We turn to the characters we love for comfort; but in addition, this is a serious and real issue that extends past fictional characters and universes, so please if you need someone to talk to, reach out. Call 988 or chat online here: http://988lifeline.org/. If you are in need specifically for LGBTQIA help, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ go here to chat or call (Trevor project does offer quick website escape options should you be in an unsupportive environment). My inbox is also always open.

Things had never felt easy to you. Ever. Anxiety gripped you from the time you stepped into the world, and you’ve lived with that ball and chain around your ankles your entire life. It was heavy and a hard burden to carry. You never stepped on the cracks on the sidewalk, what if something happened to your mom? You hardly rode a bike, thinking of the horrors of an accident. You never played outside, worrying about what diseases lay in the grass or if a bug would crawl into your ear. While other kids were learning their letters in the bright and colorful kindergarten classroom, you were paralyzed on the carpet, wondering if your mom would remember to pick you up after school or if the other kids would let you play legos with them, what if you built something wrong? So instead of singing along with the days of the week and months of the year, you gripped your tiny fists in your jeans and tears ran down your face. Rather than playing on the playground like other kids, you sat against the brick wall, rubbing your face against the fleece of your jacket to comfort yourself as anxiety swirled in your stomach. The teachers would look at you, try once to get you to engage in a game of tag, but quickly stopped trying when you would begin to cry at the idea of someone chasing you.

This anxiety followed you all throughout your life and school, to the point where you became the “sensitive” person that no one wanted to encounter for fear you might cry. In middle school, you changed gym clothes in the shower stall after the first session where other girls strutted around the locker room with no shame. Watching them with their girlish hipbones and chests starting to develop created a deep insecurity in yourself. You gripped the soft pudge of your sides, wishing that you could just pinch it off and throw it in the stupid grey trashcan in the corner. You only wished for the confidence to roll the waistband of shorts like they did. But, that would mean showing off your stomach and that would mean everyone looking at your body and that sent you into a spiral. While the other girls changed into their shorts and tied their t shirts up, you stared in the mirror at the baggy sweatpants and hoodie you adorned, the tears burning behind your eyes and panic in your chest. Why did you not look like them? Why were you so different? Why did they have flat stomachs but yours was not? Why were you not…thin? This was the first time you separated yourself from the slim people and found yourself looking for the other kids in classes that looked like you. The first time you had to run the mile, you hid in the equipment closet with your book, escaping into the world of Frodo and The Shire until the coast was clear. You started to skip lunch in favor of this spot, giving yourself the excuse that the school lunch was toxic and likely radioactive anyway.

High school was somehow even worse. This isn’t to say that you didn’t try! You would try to curl and tease your hair like the other girls, just to fit in a little. Sometimes, you would even brush some light blue eyeshadow onto your lids and pink lipstick on your lips. But when you looked in the mirror, dark disgust would bubble up in your throat, leading you to harshly rub the makeup off with a cold rag and pull your hair under a scarf. How could you be so foolish? You would never look like those beautiful girls with perfect fluffy hair, lovely shimmer on their eyes, perfectly manicured hands clasped with their sweetheart’s as he carried her books. You would never be able to wear the skirts they did, not without showing off your thighs. Your chunky, jiggly, thick thighs. You could never wear the sweaters they did without feeling like you were being restrained. You tried once, your mother knocking concerned on the other side of the fitting room door, as you sobbed, looking at where the turtleneck clung to you in all the wrong places. She dared to ask if you needed another size up, fury and embarrassment flooding into you as you said this was the largest that they had.

Something had to be done. You were tired of being tired when you looked at yourself. So, you did what a significant number of teenage girls would do. You started to avoid eating. And when you did eat? It would find its way back up. On occasion, when there was no time for purging, you would spend several minutes berating and crying to yourself. Your body was wrong. Your existence was wrong.

You dreaded family dinners, holidays, birthdays. Anytime someone was in the room to watch you eat, you felt that familiar panic bubble into you, clutching at the thighs of your pants as you always have and rubbing your face with your sleeve or jacket. You were never hungry or rather that’s what you told everyone. But you were, the burn of hunger in your stomach was almost satisfying, a reminder of your goals to look like other girls, to have the body you see in every magazine you pick up.

What did come easy, however, was your friendship with Eddie Munson. You had not expected for the door to the supply closet to swing open, ripping you from The Return of the King and the great battle of Black Gate that you have read a dozen and one times. Your heart thudded as a skinny, buzzed head kid pushed himself into the small space and slammed the door back. He rested his head against the wood, panting softly and mumbling under his breath that he was okay. You were stunned into silence and when he turned to look at you, you both let out screams at the same time. You clutched your book to your chest, “What are you doing here??” He stared down at you with brown eyes. His teeth were slightly crooked, and his shirt was far too big, nearly falling off on shoulder and his gym shorts were worn, a band aid covering one knee. His face was a little dirty, or perhaps it was a bruise, but his cheeks still shone pink. “I- I was running and- Is that Return of the King?” he asked, suddenly intrigued by the book in your hands. “This is my closet; you need to find another one to hide in.” You said stubbornly, feeling the discomfort rising in your chest. Loud slaps of shoes belonging to someone running outside the closet distracted you from the current situation. The boy quickly sat across from you, staring warily at the door as the steps quieted. “That was close. I almost got caught that time. But I never get caught.” He smiled cheekily, he stuck out his hand, “I’m Eddie.” You stared at his outstretched hand, still confused as to why he was here and how he did not understand you were not welcoming him into your space. “Not a hand-shaker. That’s okay.” He shrugged and leaned back against the basket holding basketballs. You sat your book down, shoving the bookmark in your place and pulling your knees up to your chest. “What were you running from?” you asked curiously, your hand coming up to rub your face with your sleeve instinctively. “Jason Carver. He was out for me because I made a DND enemy out of him.” Eddie laughed. “Was it a powerful one?” you questioned, the discontent for carver and his perfect cheerleader girlfriend coming to the front of your mind. You wanted to look like Chrissy, tall, perfect, thin. She had the best hair of most girls at Hawkins middle school. “I made a swarm of maggots and called it Jason. Somehow that got leaked from the club.” Eddie said sheepishly, playing with one of the braided bracelets on his wrist. You let out a giggle at that, imagining the look on his face being portrayed as something so disgusting. “I would have made him a Gibbering Mouther. He never shuts the fuck up.” You both let out a laugh at your sentiment. You didn’t ease, still swimming in anxiety, but you had seldom not been in that dark water throughout your life. “You play?” Eddie said, excitement in his voice. You shook your head, no one had wanted to play, and you were not comfortable joining in with strangers.  

“You should join my campaign!” he said, scooting closer and starting to babble on about hellfire. They had just started playing, though they were not a recognized club by the school, they stayed after school sometimes in the library. The anxiety started to rise more, the prospect of stepping out of your comfort zone. “Eddie, I-“ you thought quickly, “I can’t after school. I have to babysit.” That was not a total lie, you watched your neighbor’s dog after school sometimes, feeding it dinner when the neighbor was late getting home. His shoulders drooped a little, “That’s okay. But we can still be friends.” He said as a matter of fact.

Friend. That was a weird word. You haven’t really had many of those. Could you count the kids of the book club friends your mom had? There was Vanessa, but really you just sat next to each other in math class.

“Okay.” You agreed, still a little unsure. His face lit up, and he launched into discussion about The Return of the King, talking about his favorite battles and how he wished he had a Samwise Gamgee in his life. His impression of Gollum made you erupt into a fit of laughter as he used props from the closet. An old jersey was wrapped around his waist in a makeshift loin cloth as he crawled around the room speaking in riddles. You almost felt your guard slip, laughter falling from your lips without thinking about it.

This was the beginning of a strong friendship. You were by his side as he grew from an awkward skinny kid to a man, thick curls cascading down his back as he refused to cut it. His jaw sharpened; he passed you quickly in height. But the friendship remained the same. You relaxed around him, still not completely relaxing your guard, but not exactly completely shutting yourself out.

He was still outspoken, charming only you with the silly ramblings he would go on. When he started spoking pot, you didn’t mind. When he started selling it, you didn’t mind. When he would get on tables and launch into monologues, you didn’t mind, in fact you cheered and laughed along with the other hellfire kids. He had a habit of doing that, making you not mind things as much. You still didn’t join hellfire, but you would sit in on sessions sometimes, sitting in the corner, sewing patches on Eddie’s vest and chuckling at his characters and feeling your heartstrings pull when something emotional happened. He would walk you to class, your books in his hands, causing new feelings to blossom as soon as you realized what that looked like. You never dared to say a damn word.

You felt like you could tell Eddie most things. You would show up on his porch sometimes, tears streaking down your face. He would pull you in, turning off whatever loud record was spinning in his room and help ground you. He would walk you through breathing, touching, smelling. When you were calm enough, he would hug you closely and you would tell him about the fight with your parents or how the ending of your book was terrible, or how you failed a test. It truly was an occasion when they put a new lock on the gym closet, one that you couldn’t shake the handle just right to open and escape into your little world. Most of the other closets around the school had been occupied or claimed by couples or smokers. You had heaved sobs as your normal was disrupted and he comforted you, giving you the option of the hidden closet in the auditorium where he held hellfire. “No one uses it. It’s been empty the entire time I’ve been here. And that’s six years!” he laughed, trying to lighten your mood. It wasn’t the gym closet, it was dusty and smelled like theatre kid sweat, but it was an oasis.

Once you graduated (and dragged Eddie across the stage to graduate with great effort), you weren’t quite sure where you wanted to go. People around you began having conversations about what colleges they were going to attend, what jobs they were going to have, who they were planning on marrying. This set an entirely familiar, yet new, anxiety in you. Was this what you were supposed to be doing? Going to college? Starting a family? Anxiousness brewed into your empty stomach, starting a new anxiety symptom. You weren’t just throwing up to get skinny, but because you couldn’t help it.

One particular afternoon, you knocked on the door to Eddie’s trailer. Your foot tapped anxiously; arms wrapped around yourself. He answered the door, a tired look on his face and still in his pajamas. “Hey, what’s up?” He opened the door wider, letting you in. You toed off your shoes, dropping your bag haphazardly on the ground next to them. A choked sob fell from your lips as you turned to him. His face softened, waking up a little more, “Did you have the college argument again?” he asked knowingly. You nodded and the tears began. You and your parents had been arguing about college. You didn’t want to go, the thought of it crippling you with anxiety and making you lay in bed for the rest of the day frozen. They were adamant, piling applications and brochures on your desk to colleges all across the country, even ones that you could never even dream of attending with your track record.

“I just don’t want to go.” You sobbed, hands coming up to tug on your hair as you paced the small living room of their trailer. “I’ll be alone, I’m not smart enough, I-“another powerful sob racked through your frame. Eddie watched you with great concern. Gently, he grabbed your wrist, pulling you to sit on the floor with him. “Breath with me, sweetheart.” He commanded softly, starting to slowly breath in through his nose and out through his mouth. You followed shakily; eyes wide as the panic began to ebb slowly. “What are three things you can touch right now?” he whispered, not letting go of your hands. You tried to think, your breathing less erratic than before. “I can feel your hands.” You muttered, subconsciously rubbing one of your fingers over the silver ring on his middle finger. “I can feel the carpet on my feet.” You closed your eyes, feeling the slightly scratchy cheap carpet under your legs. “I can feel my hair on my neck.” You let out another shaky breath. “Very good,” he praised, giving your hands a soft squeeze, “Now what are two things you can smell?” you focused a little harder. “I can smell weed.” He let out a snort and soft apology, you shrugged it off, it didn’t bother you. “I can smell your cologne.” It had a sweet, musky smell. It was cheap, but you didn’t really care, that wasn’t the point. “You’re doing great. Now one thing you can taste.” This one was always the hardest. You focused on your mouth with your eyes still closed. What could you taste? “I-I can taste the peanut butter I ate earlier.” And regretted, but you didn’t say that part out loud. “Very good. Do you feel grounded?” his hands didn’t leave yours until you nodded, but you missed them immediately. He patted his pockets, looking for a lighter and the joint he had rolled before you arrived. He placed it between his lips, the flick of his lighter broke the silence and a puff of smoke rose in the air after he inhaled.

You felt a little spacey after the mild panic, watching his lips push the smoke away from you. You always appreciated that he tried not to let it hit your face. You contemplated deeply, then spoke, “Can I try?” His eyes widened and he coughed, caught off guard. “You want to try?” he reached out, holding the blunt to you. It was a little intimidating, but you brought it to your lips. “Don’t inhale too hard. And don’t hold it in too long.” He advised, watching intently as you breathed in deeply. The smoke did not taste good, and it made you cough. Your eyes burned as you choked, coughing hard, Eddie’s hand came down to beat on your back. You felt a little fuzzy as you handed it back to him, “I don’t like it.” You said simply. He let out a laugh and took another drag. “That’s okay. More for me.”

You finally felt relaxed, as relaxed as you could feel. You felt calm, collected, like you could relax and let him in. You took another deep breath at that realization, and you needed to tell him.

“Eddie,” you began, “I need to talk to you about something.” Your hands ran up and down your thighs, rubbing the material as your palms started to feel itchy. He looked at you with intrigue and concern, snuffing out the joint in the ashtray on the rickety coffee table. “I just…” tears started to form in your eyes, “I just want to say…fuck I don’t know what I want to say.” You took a shaky breath, and he reached a hand out to you. His eyes were encouraging, “Go on, sweetheart. I’m not going to judge you.” You offered a small and weak smile. “All my life, I feel like I’ve experienced things slightly to the left. Like the center is how normal people experience life and I’m somewhere over here fucking lost.” You drew a line with your finger in the carpet, pointing to the center and to the left. He watched curiously, nodding as you did your little visual. “I’ve never not been nervous. I’m pretty sure I was born scared of the bright lights and if my mom loved me or not,” you let out another shaky sigh, “and I know something is wrong with me. I can’t eat without hating myself and when I look in the mirror, there is this dread that settles right here.” You point to your stomach. “I met you in that closet because I was hiding from the other girls in my gym class who looked like Madonna and I didn’t eat lunch because, god, I wanted their figure.” Tears were now steadily falling down your face. You avoided looking at his reaction, but you could feel his hand stiffen in yours. “And when I met you, it felt like-like you plucked me from this weird life and put me back in the center. Things were easier. You make it easier.” You finally looked up at him; he had wet lashes and a small encouraging smile. “I know I can’t rely on you for my happiness all the time. It’s just not healthy. But I guess what I am trying to say is thank you.” You finished. A small sob shook off your lips and you used your free hand to wipe your cheeks. Eddie let out a shaky breath, “Can I please fucking hug you?” he whimpered. You nodded and immediately Eddie pulled you into his embrace. He was warm, smelled like weed and weirdly it was calming. “Thank you for sharing that with me.” He said into your hair. You made a hum, and he pulled you tight. “I do think you should talk to someone. Like…like a professional.” He said uneasily. “I know.” You croaked. “I will always be your person,” he pressed a kiss against your forehead, “You can always come to me. But I want you to talk to someone who can help you properly.”

Accepting that you needed help was something you had come to recognize a while back. When you were obsessing over how many calories you would consume by chewing a piece of gum and when you passed out in art class because you stood up too quickly. It was the support you lacked because you had not told anyone about your problem.

“I want to. I want to get better.” Eddie did not let go of you as you said this, keeping his arms tight around you and whispering affirmations in your ear. He told you how proud he was that you told him.

Throughout the entire recovery and struggle after, he called you beautiful and strong. Eddie helped you eat, comforting you during the hardest parts and praising you when you would finish your plate. He helped you learn to braid your hair and do things out of your comfort zone. He was there for your first DND campaign with the hellfire club. He showed you how to ride a bike for the first time and how to laugh when you fall, because that’s just what happens when you learn how to ride one.

Eddie was there for your first kiss. He was the one who pressed his lips to yours after all. He was there when you came home from good and bad therapy sessions, particularly the diagnosis session, crawling into your shared bed to hold you while you cried into his shoulder. He was there for the family counseling when you told your mom about the disorder. And there for the many tears you shed with her after.

Recovery is not easy. Nothing came easy for you after all, you experienced everything slightly to the left. But being with Eddie? Recovering with Eddie? That was easier. He brought you back to the center when you strayed.

[escapismkidnappedme]

When I was 12, I got my period. It scared me. I thought I was dying.

Naturally, I told my mother. If I was dying, I was going to spend every last breath designing my funeral to be the best funeral a twelve-year-old could have.

She simply replied "You're a woman, now." as I was given a box of pads and the discussion of what to do began. It was simple, unceremonious, and any questions I had were answered in the best way a parent raised in shame could speak to their child who simply did not understand why it was shameful, could. I only knew not to bother my dad about it because he wouldn't know where to begin on the subject.

The only question that couldn't be answered satisfactorily was 'Why am I a woman?' I was told the biological reasonings, the theological explanation, an explanation of my past of wearing dresses and having a predisposition for liking the color pink- despite my favorite color being blue since my birth, and the explanation of how my body would change next.

My hips would grow in, my chest would no longer be flat, I would have to start shaving my legs and armpits, I would soon be policed on every way my body presented. Short of illness, I could no longer talk to my mother about my body.

Eating no longer became an act of indulgence but rather an activity to be avoided at all costs. My father would laugh at how little my mother ate, not knowing what was drilled into her as a teenager. I sat across the table and decided that I would eat to enjoy food, unknowingly treating mealtimes as a replacement for the comfort I once felt in my family.

Bulimia came as I felt like it was my way of fighting back. I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I threw up more than I put in. I gained weight anyways. I became fearful of carbs, terrified of sugar, and reliant on coffee to keep myself thin. Vegetables were fine, but only if others heard my stomach growl to the point that it was making them uncomfortable.

My body was no longer my own. It had simply been loaned to me in my childhood until I was old enough to pay for it in my teenage years. I could have it back when I was an adult and proved I wanted it enough.

In high school, I hoped the reasons I felt so disconnected from my body was because I was transgender. The hatred of my own breasts had to be from dysphoria. I never wanted them. I never felt an internal urge to 'be' a woman, despite my biological leanings, so it must be that I was a man.

In college, I changed my name. I began to go by masculine pronouns. I became policed as a man rather than as a woman, and still I was treated like an idiot blonde. My hair was criticized for being too long, then for being too short. I was policed for not having enough body hair, but hated how prickly my legs felt whenever I skipped shaving.

I entered my first long-term relationship where I was policed for not being masculine enough. I was constantly told that when I got on testosterone, I would finally have a libido. I was treated as a 'work in progress' that would be loved as soon as I was done working on myself, rather than for the person I was.

I was treated as eye candy while I replaced the comfort one should feel in a relationship with food. Carbs became my respite. I gained weight. In two years, I gained eighty pounds.

When I finally stopped having sex out of coercion, I was cheated on. Once I found out, I broke it off and moved out a little under a month later. I went back to college, broke down and shaved my legs, and finally let my hair grow out. For some odd reason, my breakdown manifested in the foods I ate. I could only have a specific salad I make from the dining hall's salad bar because it meant I was in control of the portion.

I lost the first ten pounds that month, earning myself the allegation that I was on diabetes medication, and when the next ten came off, I earned the allegation that I did cocaine.

I'm still repairing my relationship with food, and still trying to find my perfect label that encapsulates how I want to present myself to the world, but all I've learned is that I have no interest in following strict social codes to identify as any particular gender correctly. Simply put, I am myself. However I choose to present is how I think my clothes would look best. If it means looking like what people perceive as a man, or if it looks like what people perceive as a woman, then it is their job to decide. As for my body, I view it the same way I view a car. I'm in it, I can adorn it, but as long as everything is working properly, I don't really care for comments about it.

[oceangirl24]

Saudade: The Truth about Audrey

Author's Note: I have not been active much lately, apologies for that. This chapter was surprisingly hard to write due to its very personal nature. Now that it's out, I'll be back to answer comments, asks, and get to those tag games.

This chapter does come with TW: Eating disorders, infertility, pregnancy, mentions of vomiting, very brief mention of suicidal thoughts.

The Truth about Audrey

That wasn't good enough for Shawn. "Are you tryin' to sabotage our family?"

Jon stared at him. "No!"

"Well, why did you pick a fight with her then?" The teen got within an inch of his nose. Hurt and fear mixed with the anger in his eyes. "Is this what you do before you breakup with a girl? Pick a fight and then take them to that stupid Italian restaurant?"

Shawn's mouth fell open in shock as he heard his own words. "Is that what you're gettin' ready to do? Take us to La Familia and dump us?!"

I love yous had been exchanged all around.

The ring was in Jon's dresser drawer.

The guardianship paperwork in his desk drawer.

All he needed to do now was ask the question and sign the dotted line.

And try to ignore the nagging feeling that something was seriously wrong with Audrey.

He grabbed her and held the sprayer out of her reach which wasn't hard to do as small as she was. It was while he was playing keep away with one arm around her that he realized not only did she look different, but she felt different too.

"Hey," he said to her in a low, deep voice.

She looked up at him with a curious expression.

He moved closer to her, caught her by the waist, and spun her around. "Let's eat in the livin' room," he suggested kissing the tip of her nose.

This display of affection seemed to fluster her more.

"Why do you want to eat in there?"

A sly smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "No kids. No Feeny."

Audrey stared at him.

The smirk grew. He slipped a hand behind her head and kissed her again, tender and lingering.

That was a mistake.

It was his concern that was the reason he wanted the change in seating. The closer she was the less likely he felt he would be to miss anything unusual with her eating habits. But being alone with her was testing the strength of his willpower. Between that and his concern for her he felt like a bomb on countdown, moments away from zero.

He knew her past ;  he knew her present.  More than anything, he  wanted to know her future.

Looking down at her all he could see was her hair, messily sprawled over them both. The flame of her tresses was dulled to embers, matted and damp with sweat, the length tangled and twisted into thin strands. Her breath was erratic and jagged, but the sorrowful gulps of weeping he heard were not coming from her.

They were coming from him.

He was holding her at her weakest point, he realized.

And he loved her so much more than before he broke open the bathroom door.

"Bulimia isn't a medical condition it's psychological."

"Meanin'?" Shawn knew what it meant. He'd heard it before, but in regard to addiction and alcoholism.

Like Chet and Virna.

A panic swelled up in Shawn as he realized what that meant.

No, this is wrong! His mind screamed. Because if it was true, it would mean Audrey was the same as his so-called parents.

He refused to accept this.

She was  the dead opposite of Virna.

Jon was wrong.

"Shawn, there isn't gonna be any explainin'. We will take her up there this weekend, and we will come back here."

His mind kept rejecting what Jon was saying. "You're just gonna leave her alone?"

"She won't be alone." Jon let go of his hand. "You know her advisor is an old family friend. He'll stay with her until someone from her mom's side of the family can come over."

Shawn stared at him with mouth agape. An inexplicable rage engulfed him, and he jumped to his feet.

"So you're dumpin' her?!"

The accusation was like a physical blow to Jon. "I'm not  dumpin' her.

"Yes, you are!" he shouted as fear got the best of him. "She's sick and you're passin' her off to someone else, so it doesn't inconvenience you!"

A shocking realization hit him so hard he saw two of Jon for a moment.

This is what Chet would do!

Chet would take off on Virna when she was sick, leave her for someone else to take care of, and come back when she was better.

Because her being sick was an inconvenience to him.

And Chet couldn't be inconvenienced.

Jon was just like Chet.

A wave of nausea hit him.

I'll throw up on Jon for this, he decided.

Read the Rest

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For more Shawn and Jon angst, reconciliation, and found family goodness check out my beautiful friend @justanotherpersonwhowrites's incredible story For Who Would Wish In Happily Ever Afters?

New chapter hot off the press.

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[pinkiemoomie]

the ana blog for all the anas

what does being bro ana mean?

a movement, largely internet-based, that portrays anorexia (and sometimes bulimia; other eating disorders, such as compulsive overeating, are not part of the pro-ana movement) as a lifestyle choice rather than a disease or disorder. Countless websites devoted to the concept have sprung up on the internet, and it has been the object of much (largely negative) media attention. The larger pro-ana sites tend to feature message boards, chat rooms, or other forums for communication. There is some distinction between sites: sites that are defensive of "ana" (this word is often associated with pro-ana individuals) as a positive lifestyle choice, those who advocate eating disorder acceptance rather than active promotion of such disorders (these may not portray themselves as pro-ana), and sites that support anorexia without offering support to individuals attempting to "develop" the disorder.

what are the two medical types of ana?

Restricting type, in which individuals lose weight primarily by dieting, fasting or excessively exercising.

Binge-eating/purging type in which persons also engage in intermittent binge eating and/or purging behaviors.

Restricting type

People with this type of anorexia nervosa restrict the amount and type of food they eat.

This can include:

counting calories

skipping meals

limiting or avoiding certain food groups (such as carbohydrates)

following obsessive rules, such as only eating foods of a certain colour. These behaviours may be accompanied by too much exercise.

Binge eating/purging type

People with this type of anorexia place severe restrictions on the food they eat and they also purge. Purging behaviours include vomiting (being sick) or misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas.

Some people may also binge eat — eat a large amount of food and feel out of control.

what does junkorexic mean?

someone who's anorexic but eats mostly junk food / takes up their cals per day with junk food

you can still have a low cal intake as a junkorexic, ex:

Bag of chips (130 calories)

Chocolate bar (200 calories)

Low-cal ice cream (300 calories)

Total: 630 calories

what are the symptoms that an ana girl should have?

Menstrual periods cease

Dizziness or fainting from dehydration

Brittle hair/nails

Cold intolerance

muscle weakness and wasting

Heartburn and reflux (in those who vomit)

Severe constipation, bloating and fullness after meals

Stress fractures from compulsive exercise as well as bone loss resulting in osteopenia or osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)

Depression, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration and fatigue.

bye bye :)

[skinimini80]

Chat I forgot cottage cheese exists.

I’m gonna pick some up from the store and make a salad with cottage cheese, steak, and a boiled egg tonight. My goal is to be able to exactly count my cals so I’m trying to formulate a safe meal I can make myself. My recreation of the one I get from a restaurant wasn’t good so I’m just gonna make something new. Honestly my goal is to not waste the eggs that have been sitting in my fridge, nor the fresh produce I got on Sunday.

Hopefully it’s good. It sounds like it will be good. I fucking love cottage cheese on some veggies.

Also not weighing myself is the best tbh. It forces me to be diligent about my calories. I’m not tempted to give myself some slack nor am I stressed about the number. I can drink water in the middle of the night without a care! I’ve kept my scale in my bedroom on carpet to avoid temptation lmao.

The clothes I got on my shopping spree are literally perfect too. I tried them on and some are just a bit snug and show off too much of my body. They don’t outright not fit but I know I won’t wear some of them until I drop at least 5lbs. I can try them on every once in a while to check my progress while I’m not weighing in!

I didn’t try them on at the store lmao. I just picked out smalls and extra smalls. I’m petite as it is. I should fit into those. Also I got size two jeans because I know those will fit me for now, I also got some belts for the future. I love a baggy jean. Also as someone who goes through bulimia phases and restriction phases I do need the flexibility to fit into clothes when I’m bloated lmao. Size two fit nicely despite having a somewhat distended belly from the binge I kept down over the weekend.

Also some look nice enough to wear now! So I feel more put together then I typically do. I’ve decided to invest in my appearance a bit. It gives me something to do and makes me feel less ugly lol. Eventually I might get some extensions to help out my thinning hair but for now I’m trying to be gentle with it as it is still falling out. (NOT AS MUCH THOUGH I THINK????)

Can you tell I’m feeling extra motivated this morning? Idk why. Yesterday I had a really hard time but I still stuck to it. I ended up eating 1222 cals which isn’t ideal but it was still a deficit and better then a purge or overeating.

[freddabranyon]

Hair Loss Got You Worried?

It’s not just men who worry about hair loss. It seems that I hear more and more women mentioning they are concerned because they have began to lose hair volume. There are many reasons that you might have hair loss. Even improper hair care.

Diseases can also result in hair loss and the most common cause is hereditary thinning or baldness. The daily loss, or shedding, is normal when combing or brushing your hair but those whose hair becomes thinner or falls out should consult a dermatologist or your naturopathic doctor for appropriate diagnosis and possible treatment.

Temporary causes for hair loss are as follows:

Improper or excessive use of styling products as perms, dyes, gels, relaxers or sprays.

Ponytails and braids that pull on the hair.

Combing, brushing, or shampooing too much or too hard.

Thyroid disease and other varieties of diseases.

Major surgery, childbirth, high fever, severe infection, stress or even the flu.

A lack of protein or iron in the diet and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Some prescription drugs include blood thinners, high-dose vitamin A, medicines for arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems and high blood pressure.

The use of birth control pills, usually in women with an inherited tendency.

Hormonal imbalances, which are especially in women.

If there is ringworm of the scalp or contagious fungal infection, most common in children.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy used in cancer treatments.

Alopecia areata, which is a type of hair loss that affects all ages and causes hair to fall out in round patches.

The physical symptoms of hair loss can be traumatic for patients and the psychosocial impact is just as severe. Hair loss can create dramatic and devastating emotions in patients and can negatively impact their quality of life and self-esteem. Their body image and self-confidence can negatively be affected as well. Psychosocial complications include depression, low self-esteem, altered self-image, and enjoyable social engagements. This negative quality of life may be worse in women due to societal pressure to be attractive.

A few suggestions for treatment of hair loss are:

Injectable or topical cortisone medications have been shown to accelerate the regrowth in some types of hair loss. Be careful with these. Be sure to ask your doctor how these medications would affect your liver.

Having your Naturopathic doctor help you with making sure your diet is good. Sometimes we do not realize that we can be malnourished from junk food. Malnutrition may cause hair loss.

Certain supplements such as Biotin have been studied and proven to help hair loss.

Prescriptions for topical or oral estrogen (best if made natural from a compounding pharmacy) have helped some women with hair loss.

A permanent form of hair replacement is transplantation utilizing dermatologic surgery that might benefit men and women.

Another treatment might be restoration surgery. In this procedure, bald scalp is removed (ouch!) and hair-bearing scalp is brought closer together to reduce the balding. In scalp expansion surgery, a physician temporarily inserts devices under the scalp to stretch hair-bearing areas.

Never Underestimate The Power Of The Human Body It is very important that you love who you are. Do a little research to see which idea would fit you best. Oh by the way, I had a friend who was turning gray quicker than she wanted. She started eating better, no junk food and started taking supplements. I promise you, Margaret’s hair stopped turning gray and the roots grew out her normal color. It was not an overnight thing. It took a few months, but it really worked.

-Dr Fredda Branyon

[embarkbehavioralhealth]

Ask a Therapist: How Do You Identify Eating Disorders in Adolescence?

“How do you identify eating disorders in adolescence? I think my child has one.” Eating disorders can have a destructive impact on the physical and mental health of teens, affecting not only adolescent girls but also boys. According to the American Psychiatric Association, disordered eating usually develops during adolescence and young adulthood and most often affects females ages 12 to 35. While eating disorders may have different symptoms, there are warning signs that parents can look out for when examining their child’s relationship with food.  So how can you identify eating disorders in adolescence and help your child? Chase Kerrey, a licensed professional counselor and chief clinical officer at the Embark Behavioral Health outpatient clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, shared some insights.  Types of Eating Disorders  Eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits.  “Humans need food as a basic building block of life. Adolescents struggling with eating disorders treat food as a coping skill or means of control — either in its consumption or lack thereof — rather than as a source of survival, enjoyment, and nutrition,” Kerrey said.  While there are several types of eating disorders, the three most common are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder:  - Anorexia nervosa: Individuals fear gaining weight and have a negative view of their body or body image. In some cases, they may purge or throw up meals to combat weight gain, resulting in weight loss. - Bulimia nervosa: Individuals often struggle with binging behaviors or overeating. They then engage in “corrective” compensatory behavior, such as purging, using laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or overexercising.  - Binge eating disorder: Individuals overeat but don’t engage in compensatory behaviors. Binge-related eating behaviors are associated with eating an amount of food that is disproportionately large compared to what’s usually considered normal.  Identifying Eating Disorders in Adolescence  Based on Kerrey’s experience, teens struggling with disordered eating tend to view their self-worth in binary terms like good or bad. They’re also inclined to focus on their weight and physical appearance when perceiving their self-worth.  Additional warning signs of adolescent eating disorders include: - Dental cavities. - Eating large amounts of high-fat foods and sweets. - Eating in secret. - Eating more food at a meal than is considered the norm. - Skipping meals. - Visiting the bathroom soon after a meal. - Showing disgust at their eating habits. - Excessive exercise. - Irregular menstrual cycles. Medical complications resulting from eating disorders could be serious and include: - Inability to maintain a healthy weight. - Constipation. - Fainting. - Disappearance of menstrual cycles. - Hair thinning. What Causes Eating Disorders in Adolescence? The root causes of eating disorders often vary from person to person. However, Kerrey said there seems to be a connection between the disorders and unresolved emotional problems and mental illness, such as low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, and depression.  He recalled that many clients believed achieving their ideal body weight or chosen caloric intake would lead to a better life. “They believe their eating disorder will give them something they have not yet learned to obtain naturally, such as confidence, peace, self-esteem, attention, or worth,” Kerrey said. What Should You Do if You Suspect Your Child Has an Eating Disorder? If you suspect your child is dealing with disordered eating, Kerrey advised you avoid downplaying the issue, because it’s not just about eating food.  “In reality, adolescents struggling with eating disorders need help in addressing the underlying or unaddressed emotional struggles they face on the inside as much as any kind of weight-restoration measure,” he said.  When you go to talk to your child, remember that eating disorders typically thrive in the dark. Your teen may not want to discuss their behavior. Kerrey suggested approaching your child in a way that shows your concern. “If your adolescent knows that you perceive that something is amiss — that you’re not going to be dissuaded from asking questions and that you won’t disengage until you figure out what’s going on — then, chances are, they will give you a better idea of what’s going on,” he said.  If you believe your child is indeed using food as a coping mechanism or means of control, seek the opinion of a trained licensed professional, such as a psychologist or licensed professional counselor.  For Kerrey, a good rule of thumb is to associate a teen’s level of “stuckness” with their need for support. Adolescents are allowed to have a bad day or week from time to time. However, when you notice a pattern of emotional avoidance and/or problematic behavior or demonstrating emotion or behavior outside the norm for a period of time — it may be a sign your child can’t course correct on their own.  What Is the Treatment for Eating Disorders in Adolescence? Treating your child’s eating disorder, Kerrey explained, involves treatment on two fronts: physiological and psychological restoration.  - Physiological restoration: Adolescents with eating disorders often need to reestablish a healthy relationship with food while restoring healthy body weight. These tasks are best done with the help of a registered dietitian.  - Psychological restoration: Dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy can help adolescents learn alternative coping skills that will replace their eating disorder behaviors. - Dialectical behavior therapy, also known as “talk therapy,” strives to change negative thinking patterns and promote positive behavioral changes. - Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing thought patterns and how an individual responds to difficult situations. - Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people accept difficulties and commit to changing their behavior. Therapy can take place individually and in group settings. An intensive outpatient program involving group therapy a few hours a day a few days a week is often used to help young people. If outpatient treatment is not successful, short-term residential treatment where your child lives in a treatment center may be necessary. If there are serious medical complications, inpatient hospitalization may be required to stabilize your teen. In that case, upon discharge, partial hospitalization or short-term residential care may follow. How Can You Support Your Child During Recovery? To best support your teen, Kerrey noted it’s important you keep in mind how they’re feeling about what they’re experiencing. “Many adolescents struggle with significant regret surrounding the development of their eating disorder, both in terms of the impact the addiction has had on themselves and their surrounding family,” he said. By the time they receive treatment, most adolescents wish they could have chosen an alternative path before their behaviors became a habit.  Recognize recovery from eating disorders can be difficult, and practice compassion with your teen. For example, if you see they're feeling guilty, tell them that you could see how this is difficult for them and you're here for them anytime they want to talk. Helping Your Teen: Your Next Steps  Parents often have a hard time identifying eating disorders in adolescence and addressing the issue. The good news is, you can seek health professionals who can help your child recover physically, avoid harmful eating behaviors, and feel better about themselves and their body shape.  To find a mental health provider or treatment center near you specializing in eating disorders, you can use the Psychology Today search tool. Related Posts - Ask a Therapist: How Do I Find a Good Therapist for My Teenager? - What Does It Mean to Be a “Normal” Teenager? - How to Talk to Your Teenage Daughter Without Losing Your Mind. - 4 Essential Strategies for Parenting a Teenage Girl with a Mental Illness. - How Your Teen’s Mental Health Is Related to Their Gut Health. Read the full article

[n1ghtm3ds]

I’m not going to post triggering pics or stats to “prove I was Ana” out of respect for my followers who are in recovery but I don’t need to prove to you the absolute nightmare I’ve put my body through and continue to put my body through (and experience as a repercussion) but I was thin enough and so dependent on speed to go on long fasts that my friends all talked about how they were going to handle it when I died. I was so sick I took it as a compliment. I’ve crawled out of dark fucking places and get a little better every day but I’m literally checking myself into inpatient Monday because my bulimia is so out of control and I’ve been struggling with it since I was so young I didn’t know it had a name or was a thing other people did. I’m on medication where significant weight gain is an almost universal side effect but it saved my life. I was sure my ED would kill me as an older teen/young adult (my proana years) and it got to the point where I was in a hospital bed hooked up to heart monitors and shit with my hair falling out every time I washed it and no eyebrows left shitting undigested food for weeks before the episode in the school gym finally drove me to the emergency room and I decided I could choose death or, as unglamorous as it is, recovery. I was clean from my ED for almost 2 years before the relapse I’m in now and hoping to get clean again which is one of the reasons I’m checking myself in for help. I’m glad that the fact that I have what may eventually become a fatal relationship with food/eating is funny to you I guess? Also ur lazy af somebody already posted some pics when I was close to my LW up the goddamn thread at least lurk like goddamn the low effort is insulting.

[beautylookbook]

How to Stop Loss of Eyelashes

Are you experiencing thinning of your eyelashes? This can be a disturbing problem for women since long, lush eyelashes are considered a sign of beauty in American culture. If you're experiencing this problem, what can you do to prevent loss of eyelashes? Here are some simple steps you can take to address the frustrating issue of eyelash loss.

Prevent eyelash loss: Determine the cause

Loss of eyelashes can be caused by a variety of medical problems. If you're noticing thinning of the hair on your head and the appearance of bald patches, you may be suffering from alopecia areata, a medical condition in which the body's own immune system attacks the hair follicles. Other medical conditions which may cause loss of eyelashes include hypothyroidism and various hormonal imbalances as well as autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Nutritional disturbances such as a severe protein deficiency or malnourishment as would be seen with anorexia nervosa or bulimia can also cause loss of eyelashes. Certain medications, especially cancer chemotherapy, may also play a role. In addition, there's a mite called D. folliculorum which can cause an infection that can contribute to eyelash loss. Check with your physician and rule out these medical conditions as a cause for your loss of eyelashes first.

Prevent eyelash loss: Avoid waterproof mascaras

Waterproof mascaras can be very difficult to remove, frequently requiring lots of rubbing and tugging on the lashes. This can cause loss of eyelashes. Switch to a lighter mascara that's not waterproof and be gentle when you remove your eye makeup. Soak a cotton ball in baby oil or eye makeup remover and gently go over the lashes without pulling or tugging on the hair shaft. Removing eye makeup after a hot shower can make the job easier and less stressful on the lashes.

Prevent eyelash loss: Rule out allergies to your eye makeup

Sometimes loss of eyelashes can be due to an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in your makeup. Have you recently switched to a new brand? If so, you may want to eliminate that product and see if your symptoms improve. You can also try changing to hypoallergenic eye makeup products to see if this solves the problem.

Prevent eyelash loss: Change the way you apply your eye makeup.

If you're using an eyelash curler, you may want to discontinue this practice. An eyelash curler used regularly can add additional stress to your eyelashes causing them to thin out. Go lighter on your applications of mascara and avoid rubbing your eyes when you're wearing it. Always remove mascara without tugging or pulling on your lashes before going to bed. Heavy coats of mascara left on overnight can contribute to eyelash loss.

Read Also:

How to Apply Eye Liner

How to Maximize your Mascara’s Potential

How to Remove Eyeliner

[moonlightmakesmegocrazy]

Insta: ___artemis_____