A Day in the Life of a Bulimic

In some ways, bulimia is worse than alcoholism. Alcoholics can live without their drug of choice, while bulimics can't. Would any counselor recommend that an alcoholic go to a bar three times a day and stop by a liquor store for a "snack" between their second and third visits? Essentially, this schedule faces the recovering bulimic every day for the rest of his or her life. The recovering alcoholic is offered abstinence. The recovering bulimic is offered moderation.

This dilemma makes bulimia recovery especially difficult. This brief look into my previous life as a bulimic is from the perspective of a middle class female in her twenties working a full time job. Please keep in mind that bulimia know no limits in terms of sex, age, social, and economic status. Even though it is past tense for me, the disease will be spoken of in the present. I hope it will serve as:
1) Motivation for those struggling with the disorder to get help
2) A look at bulimia warning signs
3) A incentive to stop bulimic behavior in its tracks before the full blown disease emerges

5:00 AM

The alarm sounds and I wake up. I may be annoyed like any other worker bee by the alarm, regretful about yesterday's purges, or struggling with heartburn from lying in a horizontal position for long with a damaged esophagus. I don't have to be at work yet, but I get up early to squeeze in an hour long work out. My hour of cardio sounds healthy but it's an addiction. I would feel bad about myself all day without it. For me as a bulimic, exercise intensity and duration is a measure of self worth and happiness for the day.

6:00 AM

I shower, get dressed, and eat a healthy breakfast like cottage cheese or yogurt and fruit. I take a multivitamin and drink some water. I am feeling motivated. "No binging and purging today" I tell myself. I resolve to be healthy and commit to full recovery from bulimia. I know it's not good for me.

8:00 AM

I arrive at work. I'm feeling comfortably full checking my emails. I'm ready to start the day. My productivity is good for a few hours.

11:00 AM