"I truly feel like a new Linda has opened up or I may say: is starting to sprout and bloom and blossom to become a whole brand new person."
My journey here has opened up a whole new world for me because I never knew what it was like to literally eat three square meals per day. I must say, it was hard to begin at first, but I find it to be much healthier for my body and I enjoy eating now. I hope to pass this down to my family because it is so extremely important for life. I realize this now where I never did before.
I also am very thankful and grateful for the challenge to go into restaurants and eat without the fear of vomiting. I know now that it was psychologically in my mind to be so fearful to go out and eat. I really enjoyed being with my family and not worrying about whether I would become ill. Also, being out in the world was so refreshing and relaxing to not fear and panic because the world is a beautiful place and I have missed so much of it because of fear. I know now that I can walk out the door and nothing is going to happen.
I was always afraid of being happy and now I am no longer that way. I can laugh and not worry that the world will come to an end or something bad is going to happen. Anything can happen at any time whether you are inside or out. I’ve learned that I will never be perfect. It is normal to just be me and I’m going to make mistakes like everyone else.
I truly feel like a new Linda has opened up or I may say: is starting to sprout and bloom and blossom to become a whole brand new person.
I never realized that panic and anxiety disorder can cause an eating disorder until my stay here. Now I realize that my restaurant phobia was caused by just one unfortunate incident where I received bad food and got sick. That is hardly a reason to be afraid of the world.
I now know that the mind can be so powerful for the good and also the bad. I believe that this journey, or season of life, was meant to be because of everything I have learned. With all of the help that I have received, and with the book that Dr. Donnellan suggested I get: “The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook”, I have literally changed my way of thinking and my perspective on life.
I know that I will have bad days but I know that I can cope and be able to get through them now better than I have ever before, thanks to my strong faith in God, my family, my therapist, but most of all, my God.
I do honestly hope that I can take classes and learn more about eating disorders, so that I can become an advocate for eating disorder sufferers. I came to Robert Wood Johnson Somerset for an eating disorder, but I learned so much more about myself and life. I hope to express that someday to young girls, older ones as well, and even young men, before they begin to even think about taking a journey towards eating disorders.
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.
Respectfully,
Linda Duffey-McKay