Frustrated

Hi Marilyn,



I do understand your frustrations.



Hey sweetie, you know you have already assessed your own situation for sometime now. You have graciously shared your struggles with addiction to the group, I even remember a while back when you were incorporating the twelve step recovery program into your food issues and I thought that was really cool. I had to make my assessments in my life too. Man, that task is not easy nor is it pretty.



It is not surprising to me that there is not an over abundance of help specializing in "food addiction." The problem with food addiction is that the very thing we abuse or use to medicate ourselves with (food) is the very thing we need and have to have to survive. Food is essential for us, without food the body will die. That is not the case for an alcoholic. The body can live without whiskey or Vodka. That is not the case for a drug addict. The body can live without heroin or cocaine. So as you can see the treatment for food addiction has to be treated in a different way.



I have posted in the past that I have had some wild experiences with therapy sessions. Talk about frustrating. One of my favorites is having a session with a "counselor" at a very popular psychological clinic here in Nashville. The counselor assigned to me was as morbidly obese as I was. I remember sitting there being close to 300 pounds, I was hurting both physically and emotionally and this person obviously was struggling as much as I was. Needless to say that was $250 bucks down the drain. I think if a person is going to hang a shingle, charge an arm and a leg for their expertise services and claim to be a professional then they should at least be able to get their own house in order before they try to start repairing and cleaning someone else's house.



I think we should be able to make a list of perspective counselors. Once we narrow that list down to a few, I think we should have the prospective counselor make an appointment with us. Once we have them fill out an application, provide us with a list of credentials and references, we then have a personal interview to see if they are a perfect fit for us. We won't even charge them for the interview time....Yep, I think that sounds like a great idea....

As you pursue your quest for professional food addiction counseling don't overlook your ability to help yourself. You have such a determination. Couple that with your professional medical background and I just know you will be able to succeed and heal emotionally and physically. I believe in you. Addiction affects our self esteem. Give yourself credit for all your strengths..Stand your ground and speak up for what you feel is right....



One of the things that I feel has truly helped me is a workbook I purchased on "Boundaries. One of the chapters elaborated on how easy it is to recognize someone who has misplaced their power, they will frequently say things like "He made me feel so incompetent" or "She made me feel so stupid." Elenor Roosevelt said it best "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission."