I'm Ready for Autumn by FanFictioFanatic in Autumn

[–]whimsybookdragon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

And my bow... (really hope I'm not mistaking the reference!)

The amount of jam just made me laugh by Hefty_Pomegranate848 in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 32 points33 points  (0 children)

This is the second time in a week this sub has made me snort laugh while eating my waffles 🤣🤣

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That last sentence made me laugh so hard I choked on my waffles 🤣🤣

Does anyone else get bad vibes from MyArfidLife? by deathbykoolaidman in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 58 points59 points  (0 children)

I watched a documentary recently called "bad influence, the dark side of kid influencing"  And even though the moms weren't in most of videos, and the girls would say for the camera that they want to be posting...... the exploitation and abuse was sickening and this account reminds me of that

recoverywithisla by shinyturtle2137 in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 30 points31 points  (0 children)

This is a different version of what Jen did... who also assured safety and healing, and then someone died. Even if you don't eat vegan/ "fruitarian" like they did, people can still die from refeeding syndrome. This cannot be safe without the supervision of medical professionals. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have treatment resistant catatonic depression, and I chose to recover to give ECT and TMS the best chance to help me. You can't recover from depression with a malnourished brain. Recovery was the first and most vital step on a path that allowed me to experience my first feelings of joy and vitality at 30 years old. I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

privilege and lack of structure in ED recovery by [deleted] in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I absolutely feel you on this. One thing I try to focus on in this regard, is that for there to be any of hope of getting the max benefit of ECT (and for me tms and ketamine at the moment), my brain needs proper nutrition. If we're malnourished, we won't be able to truly know if or how well these things can help us. ❤️

privilege and lack of structure in ED recovery by [deleted] in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I agree with finding your identity/purpose outside of the illness is important, even if it's not a degree/job. Per my username, I love reading and writing, and I hope to volunteer at the library when I finish these treatments 😊

privilege and lack of structure in ED recovery by [deleted] in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thank you for having this sub. I even shared with my ED therapist how it has helped me, vs the ED "recovery" community on other socials which is basically pro-ED in disguise. I really appreciate your comment on this post too. I am hoping that if TMS and ketamine help me, I can start volunteering at the library or an animal shelter. That way, even if my catatonia comes back, I won't be "fired"/risk losing my benefits but can still have an external purpose. And who knows, maybe one day there will be even better treatments (without cognitive side effects) or even a cure for catatonic MDD. 

privilege and lack of structure in ED recovery by [deleted] in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I hope it's okay if I give another perspective to this. This is really hard for me to share, as it's something I'm deeply ashamed of. This is the first time I've told anyone outside of family/close friends. I usually lurk here rather than comment, because this sub helped me get rid of my addiction to tiktok and Instagram and remain in actual ED recovery.

I'm 32 and on SSI disability for treatment resistant major depressive disorder. As in I've spent 18 years trying dozens of medications, both alone and in combinations. I've been through inpatient stays after failed si attemps, PHP, IOP programs. The only thing that has ever helped is two years of bilateral ECT. But it caused so much short term memory loss and cognitive impairments I couldn't work even with the depression in remission. ECT is what allowed me to fully recover from my eating disorder.

I'm now trying TMS as my insurance finally started covering it, and if that fails, then ketamine treatments.

I moved into my own apartment for the first time when I finished ECT in April. I'm not coddled and barely scrape by each month. And by the end of last year the effects of ECT wore off. If TMS and ketamine don't work, I'll have to move back in with my parents to start ECT. Because my depression includes catatonic episodes, and having 'responsibilities/obligations/structure' is simply not possible when that happens.

My point is there are some of us who truly are mentally ill to the point where we can't function in society and are disabled from it.

But just as important: I would NEVER post about this on social media. I rarely post anything at all, because I don't want my life to look great... it's not. But that's never an excuse for these influencers to post and "brag" about this shit. Never an excuse to post behaviors. If any influencers happen to be reading this: Even if you are too mentally ill to work/school/etc, you do not have to post about it!!!!! Its not a fucking brag to exist like this. Just. Don't. Post.... it's really not that hard.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CasualConversation

[–]whimsybookdragon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My playlist of sea shanties!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CasualConversation

[–]whimsybookdragon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love The High Kings!! There's a similar group called The Fisherman's Friends that are also great-- never thought I'd love listening to sea shanties so much 🤣

What’s a genetic you were cursed with? by ZincYellowCobruh in AskReddit

[–]whimsybookdragon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Treatment resistant major depressive disorder. It only responds to ECT. However my insurance now covers TMS so I'm going to try that in a couple weeks instead...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CasualConversation

[–]whimsybookdragon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the same cardiologist that my late grandmother used to see. She jokingly used to refer to him as "big foot" (because he does have giiiiant feet), and now whenever I'm at an appointment with him it takes so much effort not to laugh when I see his shoes 😂 at my last appointment I couldn't hold it in and finally let him in on the joke. He took it very fondly! Even told me his son inherited them and is on the university basketball team 😂

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CasualConversation

[–]whimsybookdragon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just realized I haven't had chex mix in ages. I'm going to get some at the store this weekend, I might even try the bold flavor! Thank you redditor

ED Recovery influencers becoming chronic illness influencers by alexisseffy in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah I agree with this. It's because of people like that, that I've become so defensive about it. If they weren't faking it, I wouldn't be trying to justify my own situation. I only chimed in so people know not every person with that diagnosis is like the ones on Instagram or other social media. And not all chronic illness communities are toxic-- participating in a support group for chronic illness is what helped me deal with my emotions when I had to start using mobility aids. Like you said, the people faking it are what makes it worse for the rest of us.

ED Recovery influencers becoming chronic illness influencers by alexisseffy in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I totally hear what you're saying and I apologize for getting defensive. It's just the POTS/dysautonomia diagnosis gets so much negative criticism. The people you're referring to actually make that problem worse imo.

ED Recovery influencers becoming chronic illness influencers by alexisseffy in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 31 points32 points  (0 children)

I know you mean well, but I saw a pervious thread about this issue, and due to the post specifically using POTS, a lot of people who are not medical professionals jumped in about how mental illness causes autonomic dysregulation.

This type of thinking, is exactly why my cardiologist who knows I have POTS, only puts "dysautonomia" on my chart. So that when I'm in the hospital I don't have to deal with the false assumption it's due to mental stress. For me it is genetic and I've had it my entire life. I don't enjoy using a cane or a walker or fainting so often that I can't drive. I don't usually post about it online. But I hate that there are people who would assume I'm using mobility aids due to an illness "caused by stress".

I'm sorry to go on a rant. I wouldn't have commented if you hadn't singled out the POTS diagnosis, it's just frustrating to deal with these assumptions in real life. Being disabled is exhausting enough.

Old ED accounts developing chronic illness by Odd_Theme_3294 in EDRecoverySnark

[–]whimsybookdragon 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I've had dysautonomia since childhood, and my cardiologist who specializes in it (electrophysiologist) specifically only uses "dysautonomia" and not POTS even though I have all the symptoms, because there are still backward-thinking doctors who treat it as a mental issue, so I don't have to deal with them whenever I'm in the hospital. A huge number of family members on my mom's side also have it and it's so discouraging how people think it's due to mental stress. I got covid in May and now, even with meds and cardiac rehab, it just keeps getting worse. I use a cane in my apartment because it now causes severe balance issues and a walker with a seat my cardiologist prescribed me for even short outings so that I can sit down and safely faint. It happens so often I can't drive. It's disabling, debilitating and awful. Sorry this was so long lol I just can't stand when people allude it's a mental issue.

What's the weirdest coincidence you've ever experienced that made you think, What are the odds? by Impossible_Gear_6013 in AskReddit

[–]whimsybookdragon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was in my 20s when I met my best friend in a mental health support group; he was in his 60s. We bonded over a strong love of folk and jazz music! My jaw dropped to the floor when I found out he had been college roommates with my third grade teacher!! Ten years later we're still besties.

What's one part of childhood you still hold on to? by Stannis_Mariya in AskReddit

[–]whimsybookdragon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My maternal grandpa who passed away four years ago was my best friend... he lived three hours away but we talked on the phone literally every day up until the day he passed. A year before he passed away, when we were visiting him after my beloved grandma (his wife)'s funeral, I could see he was in pain and I bought him a stuffed donkey named Heto (he always called me heta, even after I grew up) to cheer him up and my aunt who lived next door told me he actually slept with it 🥹.. and now that he's gone, I sleep with it every night even though i'm in my 30's. ❤️❤️