does stopping SI exacerbate your ED?

[_radioactivity]

So my boyfriend of 2.5 years cant stand it when I self harm so I have promised I would stop. Ive been doing pretty good but ever since I stopped I have noticed that my anorexia has reemerged it's ugly head and I'm already getting stuck in that downward spiral. Has anyone in here ever stopped self harming only to find your eating disorder to get

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[fragileme]

I'm in a similar situation right now. I stopped self-harming and relapsed horribly with my eating disorder, because "I wanted to hurt myself" I've since realized. I went into ED inpatient treatment and the self-harming urges flared up so badly that I was having vivid flashbacks and nightmares of myself harming myself, so vivid that I'd literally have to do body checks afterwards to make sure I had not actually done anything. My PTSD symptoms also began to reoccur with extreme intensity. When I look back over my life, I see that the majority of it was spent in different "phases" so to speak, when I was extremely active in cutting my ED was relatively under control and when I spiraled out of control with my ED my cutting/burning episodes decreased. I definitely believe these are comorbid issues more often than we seem to allow ourselves to believe. Keep fighting, I wish you all the best.

[_radioactivity]

im sorry you are in a similar situation :( the ptsd dreams sound horrible. i also have ptsd (did i mention that? i donno lol) so i know how scary the flashbacks and night terrors can be. i remember when i was inpatient once when my ED was in remission and because i couldnt harm i started starving thus the cycle began. when i look back i definiately see "phases" as you are referring them to as well . they really are comorbid issues which is quite sad but im glad there are some people out there who understand what im going through right now. and i will keep fighting! i even just ate a huge plate of chinese food and im not feeling guilty about it so thats a good thing i guess? :) <3

[fragileme]

I'm glad you're not feeling guilty. One step at a time, one step at a time...

[_radioactivity]

ty! the past few days ive been doing quite well. this community has given me some hope because i finally have found others that understand... its so hard to find that with ppl irl and when it comes to me and being friends with girls irl... it never works. i dont know why but they always seem to end up hating me :/ oh well lol

[fragileme]

It is, I agree, very hard to find people IRL who relate and especially who can understand. The internet, for me too, has been a place of solace, especially during difficult times. I'm glad you feel safe talking here and have found a place a comfort and hope.