I asked my therapist to provide me with some new skills that I can use to help me find concrete reasons to give up my ED. One of the things she did with me was a Pro/Con list of my ED. I know, that sounds funny, but it was amazing how to see things written down in front of me gave me some perspective. I figured I'd share, so that if anyone here would like to use it, they can too. First - pick a pattern from your ED that you want to change (simple enough, mine was using b/p when alone to deal with anxiety, sadness, loneliness) Then - Make a short term list of pros and cons for KEEPING your ED behaviors - Make a long term list of pros and cons for KEEPING your ED behaviors Then - Make a short term list of pros and cons for CHANGING your ED behaviors - Make a long term list of pros and cons for CHANGING your ED behaviors For me, it was extremely helpful because I am a visual learner and to actually see the long list of CONS for keeping my ED and the long list of PROS for changing my ED was eye opening. It was all stuff that I came up with myself, stuff that my rational mind knows, but my emotional, ED mind forgets. Now, I can take it out and look at it when I need some written reminders. Hope you find this helpful. Let me know if you have any questions! |
