What I Want the Friends I Met in Eating Disorder Treatment to Know

To those of you sitting on the couches next to me, spilling your hearts on the floor. To those of you struggling to eat yet another meal. To those of you on your first day, huddled in a corner, too scared to speak. I want to let you know I love each and every one of you.

The other clients make eating disorder recovery worth it. We’re all stuck together for hours every day, and we make a bond I believe we can understand. We can joke about the new diet technician who is still working to understand his job, the rampant farts and the sometimes harsh reality of what we’re going through.

I want to let you know I am cheering for you every day. It may be through my own tears, but I’m ecstatic when you finish your challenge snack. Listening to your breakthrough in process group made my day. And every time you patted my back after a meal and said “Good job” gave me the strength to eat yet another meal.

I won’t know you forever, and that breaks a part of my heart. Which is why I want to say it now: you are stronger than you think. I’ve seen you push through incredibly difficult situations. You are a kind, caring and courageous person for stepping foot into treatment, even if you have a bad day. I want every person I’ve ever met in treatment to know they are loved, at least by me. You all can do it. No, that’s not right.

We can do it.