I hate when people talk about “divorcing Ed”. I tried reading that book Life Without Ed and I couldn’t stand it. I don’t know why, but personifying my eating disorder just irritates me.
I don’t have friends named Ana or Mia. I don’t have an abusive boyfriend named Ed. I do have an eating disorder and it does make me feel crazy sometimes, but the “voices” in my head telling me to not eat, or to purge, or how worthless I am, these are not a separate entity. And the last thing I need it to start acting/thinking like I have separate people in my head.
Maybe it stems from the fact that, as a child, I was terrified of developing multiple personalities. (Yes, that was a real fear of mine.) Or maybe it’s just because it comes across as so silly and, in a way, childish.
I don’t mean to offend anyone who feels that personifying their eating disorder helps them. If it helps you, if you like it, by all means!
But please, when you’re talking to me about my eating disorder, don’t call it Ed or Ana or Mia. Don’t talk about it like it’s a real person. And please don’t ask my to hold conversations with it.
a2eternity 