Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

A type of therapy suggested in Life Without ED by Jenni Schaefer.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (based on the U.S.'s)

When in the course of her lifetime, it becomes necessary for one woman, Anne, to break the ties between her and Ed, and to assume absolute and steadfast control of her life, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and God entitle her, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that she should declare the causes which impel her to the separation.

Anne holds these truths to be self-evident, that everyone is endowed with unalienable rights and among these are life, liberty, respect, and the pursuit of happiness. That whenever Ed becomes destructive and controlling of these ends, it is Anne’s right to eliminate Ed, to alter her life, and to institute recovery, laying the foundation of her life on such principles and organizing her powers in her own way, so that she may achieve safety and happiness. The history of Ed is a history of repeated injuries and insults, all having taken away the rights stated above from Anne. To prove this, let facts be submitted:

-Ed has cut off all emotions.
-Ed has damaged Anne’s health and sense of self.
-Ed has deprived Anne of food and comfort.
-Ed has erected feelings of hatred, vulnerability, and worthlessness.
-Ed has hidden the truth from Anne by telling her that she was not good enough.
-Ed has refused Anne of self-love, confidence, and self-approval.
-Ed has silenced Anne’s cries of unhappiness and caused her to suffer in silence, often deserting her when she was at her worst.
-Ed has taken Anne’s morals, changed them, and made her act against them.
-Ed has united with perfectionism to make Anne strive to ridiculously high standards, standards that are unattainable.

Anne, therefore, solemnly publishes and declares that she is free and independent; that she has been absolved of all allegiance to Ed, that all connection between Anne and Ed will be dissolved, and that as a free and independent individual, she has full power to eat, live in peace, express her feelings, and use the rights of life, liberty, respect, and the pursuit of happiness as she pleases.



If you want to write your name in support, I will add it to the bottom of my printed out copy. Just let me know (comments can also be added.)

Re: Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

I'm glad that you are on your way to recovery, and have realized that ED won't help! congrats on this change<3! and btw, this was really well written!! sounded very constitutional(: and sounds like you're ready to leave ED behind:). I wish you well, and if you ever need to talk PM me:)

Re: Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

Re: Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

Re: Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

Thanks so much for the support. Anne xx

Re: Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

Re: Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

Re: Declaration of INDEPENDENCE from my eating disorder
 

thanks everyone. I cannot even tell you how much it means to me that you are all supportive and liked my declaration.