7 Reasons to Resist the Urge to Purge ...

It’s important to resist the urge to purge because giving in only sets you up to fail. Sure, it gets rid of the food and provides a short release but it only makes the cycle continue. By purging, you stay stuck in that rhythm of binging and purging, making it more difficult to stay healthy. Urges will be overwhelming and you may feel like you need to give in, but I promise you the feeling will pass. The urge will pass.

Purging doesn’t fix anything; in fact, it perpetuates the problem. Your eating disorder will tell you that it’s the only way to feel better. But it’s lying. I know it’s challenging but using more positive coping skills will help redirect that emotion and provide release in healthier ways. Purging doesn’t fix your problems but adds another one to the mix as more urges present themselves and you need to cope with them.

Don’t lie to yourself. It’s never just once. You may feel like after this “one time,” you will stop and will stay strong. But buying into this illogical belief only prolongs the cycle and keeps you in a distorted world. Rather, fight the urge and after a while, the urges won’t be as frequent or as strong as they once were. It will get better with time. But you need to work to get there.

Purging damages the body in many ways. People who purge have a higher likelihood of tearing their esophagus or rupturing their stomach. Their throats burn frequently as a result of continuous purging. Not only are you hurting your esophagus but also your entire digestion system as its thrown out of whack. Purging can have serious health complications that will affect you the rest of your life. Your teeth will decay and electrolyte imbalances could result in death. It’s serious.

Sure, you get a temporary feeling of release after you purge, but that feeling won’t last for long. And after a while, it won’t have that same satisfying effect. You’ll find that the feeling almost disappears completely and yet you still need to purge. Your feelings can’t be released through a maladaptive coping skill like purging because you haven’t really worked through them. Your emotions will only get stronger and more challenging to deal with if you turn to purging whenever things go wrong.

You know as well as I do that eating disorders have nothing to do with food or weight. Purging is very unproductive. It upholds the foolish logic that you can get rid of any bad emotions you don’t want to feel. But it doesn’t work like that. Wishing away an emotion doesn’t make it disappear. Using positive coping skills helps you get through the emotion so it’s not so overwhelming. Doing art, writing, tearing things up and blaring music are far more productive to getting through your feelings than purging.

It’s hard to fight the urge to purge, I know, I’ve been there. But I also know that you can do it. You can beat this disorder! I am rooting for you to stay strong along with the entire AWS staff and everyone who cares about you. You may not know who’s rooting for you all the time, but keep in mind that you deserve so much better than you give yourself credit for. Please stay strong.

Resisting the urge to purge is no easy task. I hope these reasons to stay strong inspire you to push past any urges that come your way. It’s not worth it, I promise you that. What are some other reasons to stay strong? Any messages of support and encouragement for those struggling?