eating disorders are mental illnesses

my mom and i had a discussion tonight in the car about whether eating disorders are mental illnesses.

her belief is that eating disorders--particularly binge eating disorder that i currently struggle with--is an addiction.

my stance is that it's a mental illness, hence the reason why i feel alright about bringing it up at NAMI meetings and that it is appropriate.

I know that eating disorders are mental illnesses, due to the fact that it's about what goes on in the mind, which is disordered and out of control. it takes over a persons mind, body, and life, just as any mental illness does.

NAMI's website even lists eating disorders as an official mental illness.

here is the link for all mental illnesses, in which the eating disorders is listed. the link leads to more specific info about types of eating disorders.

I feel like i'm the only one at NAMI with BED or any eating disorder, or at least, that speaks up about it.

It makes me feel very alone.

I know, from research online, that it's very common.

I was thankful for a girl tonight, however, that spoke up about her eating disorder.

i told her about going from a size 0 and 105 to a size 14 now...she has done something similar recently, due to BED.

it is not working to put myself on restrictive diets these days. with BED, it makes losing weight very difficult. i feel like a failure cause of it, but i also have a desire to just have peace about my body and my imperfect eating.

God wants me to eat for His glory, not mine or anyone else's. i am praying for how to do that, and that voices and impressions from my illness would not take advantage of me in that...telling me to eat or not eat whatever, ect.

I give God the glory for helping me overcome trials in my eating disorder, giving me strength, and peace about my body and food.

but i still struggle.

with OCD and an eating disorder, peace, confidence, contentment, temperance, and self control are frustrated. i pray for the Holy Spirit to lead me and give me these fruits and for healing from my disorder and illness.

I believe God can heal me of this and pull me out of anything that robs my joy and steals my peace, like an eating disorder and mental illness.

thank you for reading.

I hope you are well.

--His Beloved