Thursday, August 8, 2013

Learning to Act Against Impulsiveness


 This past week has been a pretty exhausting test of my decision making skills. Long story short, I applied to a school about 2 hours away from home, wasn't really expecting to get in, got my acceptance letter last week, and then had to choose between what I want in this moment and what is right for my future.

 A major component of my eating disorder was impulsiveness and I still struggle with the need for a short term fix at times. Last night I did some reading on the relationship between impulsive behaviors and eating disorders. Not surprisingly, I found the two are strongly related (for the entire article click here).

"Impulsive behavior seems to be particularly characteristic of individuals with bulimia nervosa or the binge-purge type of anorexia nervosa. That is, these individuals may look for excitement, fail to think about the negative consequences, and engage in behaviors that are potentially self-damaging.

These impulsive tendencies may lead to a variety of potentially harmful behaviors including excessive alcohol or drug use, rage outbursts, violence, self-destructive behaviors, sexual promiscuity, shoplifting, or other forms of social irresponsibility. When an eating disordered individual displays these behaviors, it may significantly complicate their life, and if they are receiving treatment, it may pose further difficulties for their recovery."

As a binge-purge type anorexic who struggled with alcohol abuse, this (unfortunately) describes me perfectly. I was willing to do whatever it took to ease my anxieties and pain in the moment regardless of the long term consequences. Honestly, I don't think I even believed I had much of a future, like I was a lost-cause, so I might as well continue act upon those destructive, impulsive tendencies.  Impulsiveness kept me sick. 

As I continued reading, I also found that in some European countries they diagnose certain eating disorder patients with "multi-impulsive bulimia" (or MIB). MIB is diagnosed if an eating disorder patient shows three or more of the following behaviors: extreme alcohol abuse or dependence, other drug use or dependence, stealing or shoplifting, self-mutilation, or suicidal gestures. These symptoms are very similar to those shown in eating disorder patients who also suffer from borderline personality disorder. Worst of all, those of us who struggle with MIB behaviors, are the most resistant to typical eating disorder treatment.

"In one study of 112 bulimic patients, 20 fully met criteria for MIB. Twenty years after they were diagnosed, only 3 of these patients were recovered or doing well and nearly half of them had significant alcohol or drug abuse problems—25 percent had died."

Twenty-five percent. Those numbers are staggering, stunning, shocking; I can't put into words how devastating those numbers are. Clearly eating disorder patients who also show impulsive tendencies need to be taken seriously. My impulsive behaviors only led to significant self-loathing, legal troubles, and even had life-threatening consequences.

 Yesterday, at the last second, two weeks before the fall semester begins, I made the decision to stay at the school I have been attending since January despite a very strong urge to move away from home. Over the past several weeks, the main complaint I have had in recovery is feeling stuck in my current life circumstances. My irrational thoughts told me living on my own would somehow prove to my parents that I was "good enough."

Sure, moving away would have been exciting and a temporary fix to this stuck-ness I have been feeling; however, that excitement would eventually wear off. The root of my problem would have been ignored for the time being, only to be magnified in the future. Most importantly, at this time in my life I cannot afford to move out and go to school without my student loan debt going through the roof. Why would I give myself more money troubles if I can avoid it?

I can't help but think that I am completely going against the 'live in the moment' mentality I have been trying to apply to my life over the past year. At the same time, however, that doesn't necessarily have to be true. As a wise friend of mine said, "It won't be easy, you'll have to search for more opportunity, but it's there. You have to remember how lucky you are to be alive, to be healthy, and to be safe." Impulsiveness never gave me a chance to feel any of those things.


This decision might not bring immediate rewards, but in the grand scheme of things, and in my heart, I know someday down the road I will be incredibly thankful that I chose to act against my impulsiveness today.

Progress.

22 comments:

  1. I totally get this. For so long I lived in this impulse mentality where I thought I was changing it up, getting a new perspective - but I realized I was actually running away from the root of the problem. Good for you for realizing that!

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    1. Thanks, Alex. It's no fun to put off immediate happiness in order to reach a grater long term goal, but sometimes necessary.

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  2. For the record I'm crazy proud that you took what I had to say, and not only implemented it, but built upon it and then used your experience to help others. That proves you are "good enough" more than any impulsive act of independence could.

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    1. Still letting this all sink in.... I might need to retread this a few hundred times before I really believe it. Thanks again!

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    2. I don't think I've told you this, but I faced the same dilemma when I was applying to college. I got into and loved UNC, but made the smart choice and chose Michigan, saving $200,000. Now I can go to grad school. Now don't be like me and resent the choice for 4 years, instead be the mature young woman we both know you are becoming :)

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    3. No, I don't think you ever did tell me that. Your smart decisions are helping me again. I promise not to throw this opportunity away. I've spent wayyy too much time throwing opportunities away already. ;)

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  3. This post screams maturity. Well done, Kels. <3

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  4. I have an AN-BP diagnosis as well, and know that my impulsive nature is 100% linked to it. Through my recovery, I'm FINALLY learning to control my urges and not act on whatever my brain says immediately. I'm learning how to stop and think things through. And it's FINALLY translating into the rest of my life.
    I think that as AN-BPs in recovery, we really need to recognize times when we are being a bit too impulsive. I'm now finding that if I stop and ask myself -- (1) Why are you afraid? and (2) What are you running away from? -- I find that I'm able to nail down my emotions and thoughts a little better.
    I'm glad that you made the decision to stay. Mostly because it sounds like you were running for the wrong reasons. In the end, you'll be happy, and that's all that counts.
    xo

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    1. Why am I afraid and what am I running from are two of the most important questions to ask in situations like this, or in general for us impulsive people. You seem to think so clearly about everything, Chels. I always love hearing your input! xx

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  5. Living in the moment is all well and good... but when that moment ends, you still have to live with the decisions youve made. and the spontaneous ones arent always the best thought out. Trust yourself and know that WHEREVER you go, you have your whole life ahead of you. sending you big hugs lovely xx

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    1. Thanks so much, Clem! It's never easy, but I know it will be worth it someday down the road. We still need to catch up! I hope you're doing well. <3

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  6. A wise choice. When I was admitted from all the universities that I applied, my host(American) father told me that I should pick the one that I could minimize any necessary changes in my life, because changing too many things at once would make me feel stressful and it would affect on my education. He was a professor and used to be an academic advisor in a university. I didn't listen to him. Name or repetition of academic institutes are very little factor to perform well in the field that students pick or in the future. It does not matter. If you are good, you are always good. I have seen these people. You are the one too if you want to be. xoxo

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    1. It's funny how we don't always listen to the advice our parents give us. I fought really hard with my parents convincing them going away was the right decision, but I'm glad they fought hard back. Sometimes we need to step back and really think things through before making those crazy, in the moment decisions. Thanks for your support, always. >3

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    2. Now, I kind of do a self-checking inside. Am I creating a drama or be in the reality when I have to make a big (or even small...) decision. And, try to remove all noise from my heart and listen to what is right "FOR ME". What is right for the others might not be right for me. And, listen to the others... and be quiet before making the decision... so much work... It is awesome that you have so much recovery already in such a young age! Thank you so much for helping me out always too. <3

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    3. Doing what is right for you is NEVER easy in recovery, but like you said, it does get easier with time. Thank YOU for helping ME every single day, Kyoko. <3 ( sorry my first heart looked like this >3 hahah)

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  7. It's hard to know when we have made the right decision, but knowing what measures you took to consider all the important factors, should give you a sense of peace about it. I'm excited to see what blessings come for you!

    Thank you for educating me about the link between ed behavior and impulsivity. I feel very unqualified and almost on the outside often in forums like this, because my experience with ed issues has been so "light" and imperceptible to most people around me. But I want to know how to encourage and help those around me!

    Blessings to you--Alison

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    1. Thanks so much, Alison. I'm curious about your past with EDs. Most people who don't have much experience with them would rather not know because it's such a complicated disease. So thank you for your understanding and curiosity! It means the world to me. <3

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    2. Hi Kelsi, I sent a (long) e-mail to you with my "story". It seemed too lengthy to post here. Hope it's not too overwhelming!

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    3. Okay, great! Thanks so much! I'm out of town for a few days but will respond at the end of this week when I get home. Looking forward to reading it. :)

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  8. Two comments:

    1. "moving away would have been exciting and a temporary fix to this stuck-ness I have been feeling" ...
    There is "stuck" in a location sense, and "stuck" in a life sense. Don't confuse them. Your personal growth, and potential for a real future have expanded exponentially in the last year. Not stuck.

    2. Debt is slavery. Worse than stuck.

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    1. When you put it that way, it is very clear that I made the right decision. Thanks, Aunt Judy!

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