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Somerset
and Wessex Eating Disorders Association
"Serving those affected by eating disorders" Strode House, 10 Leigh Road, Street, Somerset, England, UK |
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The Joy of Christmas? Well Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat (as they say), but being a vegetarian the goose being fat is the last thing I am worried about - it’s me getting fat that concerns me more. Being a former eating disorder sufferer, I know only too well the fear that Christmas can fill people with, as far as eating is concerned anyway. I can honestly say that even though I am relatively stable in my eating habits now, this is still one of many annual events that I have a great deal of trouble dealing with. The major effort that friends and family go to, to ensure that everyone eats vast amounts of food during the course of the festive period is quite terrifying. I find it particularly difficult when I eat at family get togethers at the best of times but for some reason people always feel the need to go to special effort for me at Christmas because they can’t possibly see me eating just a plate of vegetables without some extra “treat” to fill my plate. This then makes the option to say “no” that little bit harder because of all the effort that has gone into preparing it. I usually try and lose a few pounds just before Christmas so that in the likely event I am forced to have just one more spoonful of bread sauce then at least any weight I might gain will allow for this over-indulgence. Luckily for me I don’t have a very sweet tooth (or I don’t allow myself to have one), so the problem of being force-fed several different puddings after each sitting is always removed - phew! I don’t know what state my head would be in if I allowed myself to succumb to a bombardment of luxury chocolates and desserts! I suppose I deal with it in my own way but it doesn't get any easier and I wish I knew how to make it easier, I only wish there was a magical solution. The only thing that helps ease my suffering at this time of year is the knowledge that there are many people out there who feel exactly the same as I do, or who have the same fears and worries at least. Although it is hard sometimes to try and remember that you’re not alone when the people around you are enjoying every minute of the festivities and your sitting in the corner wishing you had the courage or desire to do the same. Particularly when you feel a sense of guilt because everyone around you wants you to enjoy it all as much as they do. I always feel a tremendous amount of guilt at Christmas because I often feel people feel a certain sense of personal responsibility for me not being totally devoted to joining in and being “jolly”, especially when I consider all the people in the world who would love to be in that kind of environment but have no other option and are forced to have a lonely, deprived Christmas. I can only offer an apology for how I feel and if I could alter my thoughts and feelings I would. I suppose on the flip-side of those thoughts, is the feeling of power and achievement I get when I am able to decline food offerings when all those around me are accepting, which is my only consolation I guess. Maybe it’s a sad reflection on the amount of control I feel I have over the rest of my life but it’s something I’ve never let go of since I “recovered” from my eating problems. I would love to release myself from that feeling sometimes but then at other times it’s still there to remind me that somewhere deep down inside I can be strong about somethings and nobody can take that away from me. I wouldn't say it’s always a good thing for me to think about my life in those terms because there are always “bad” days that can sometimes make me feel like I am losing control to something I once escaped from. I just don’t think I am ready to completely hand over responsibility for that side of my life to my positive side just yet - I still don’t trust it to get me through without something more powerful to fall back on. That’s my excuse anyway and for the moment I’m sticking to it. Anyway I guess one way to look at it, is that in a matter of days it will all be over for another year and the turkeys will be safe once more! I always think that instead of having an advent calendar to count down to Christmas, I should have one to count down afterwards! Bah humbug! So to anyone out there who is dreading Christmas just as much as I am - good luck and remember (if you can) that people everywhere are going through exactly the same feelings. Here’s to the New Year! Anon. 
COMMUNITY SUPPORT NEWS! Here we are approaching the turning point of the year - a lot has been happening, and is planned to happen here at SEDA. As you will see elsewhere in the bulletin, there has been a decision to temporarily close the monthly Self Help Support Groups. This has been driven by a need to take some time to plan and structure new aspects of the service - so that more of what people are saying they want/need will be on offer in the Spring. The one-to-one sessions offered through community support are ongoing without a break while we plan for new group services. The last few months have offered some tricky times for SEDA - through which we are emerging stronger than ever to face future challenges. Thinking of you all at Christmas time - take care,
love Dinah and Anita. AGM REPORT Those present at the meeting discussed SEDA’s plans for the future, and possible fundraising stratergies. As a result of all the working party sessions and interviews and questionnaires SEDA plans to expand over the next 2-3 years, and to seek funding for developing the following areas of work.
Heidi Joyce and Laura Chapman (Somerset Partnership Trust) out lined the moves to develop a co-ordinated, accessible eating disorder service - including GP’s - which will be starting after April 2001. SEDA will be working alongside the Partnership Trust to support this service. This year has been very tough in parts for SEDA and for you. There is every reason to look ahead and feel optimistic about progressing the coming months. We will keep you informed through the bulletin, and you can contact me for an update or more details in the meantime.
 STEERING GROUP NEWS
The Steering Group is pleased to have Heidi Joyce (Somerset Partnership Trust) as it’s latest member. Heidi has worked with Tricia on the Somerset Eating Disorder Service Working Group this year, but has linked in with SEDA since our early days. She will be helping us develop our ideas for the future, and informing us on how the Trust works in general. The Steering group is made up of SEDA service users and includes those with an eating disorder, those in recovery, family members and others - like Heidi - whose interest and support comes from their working experiences. The group advises SEDA Workers and Trustees and has a vital role in the development of services and SEDA’s philosophy. Next meeting :- Monday 19th February 2001 6.30-8pm Strode House, Street. New members welcome.
SEDA DAY The Steering Group also invite you to a SEDA day of reflection, celebration and looking forward on Saturday 3rd March 2001. After nearly a year of work we have a business plan and soon a fundraising stratergy to move that plan into action. Increased funding from Health and Social Services, new links with the Partnership Trust and the volunteer role are major changes for the year ahead. After the uncertainty of the Summer it feels that we have an exciting, challenging future and the opportunity to get going with your ideas and requests. Everyone is welcome to come to the day which will be held in Street 10am-4pm, lunch provided. Please let Sandra know that you are coming on 01458 448611. We can help with childcare and travel costs. The day will be part of a SEDA re-launch, informing everyone about changes. We will have new publicity material and leaflets so if you can help distribute those please let Sandra know that too. I hope you all enjoy this edition of the bulletin and wish you well in the year 2001. Nicky,
Chair of Steering Group.  Research Project Would you be interested in taking part in a research project? Student dissertation needs people with experience of anorexia to complete a questionaire about religion, family life and being involved in the community. Please contact Tricia to talk in confidence and without any obligation if you would like to find out more information
I am a volunteer for SEDA and would like to thank all those who have replied to my request interviewees for my research into self-help groups for people with eating disorders. I am able to report the research is going along well and I hope to complete by September 2001. However, I still need about three people to volunteer to allow me to interview them regarding self-help groups. I need one more person who has attended a self-help group in the past year and two more people who have never attended a self-help group. The interviews are very relaxed but they are invaluable to the research I am doing. May I thank again all those who have applied and look forward to hearing from others who would allow me to interview them.
“Imperfections”
Is it any wonder, with all the media pressure surrounding our lives, that so many of us aspire to be “perfect” individuals, to no avail. I have spent the majority of my life trying to be something I am not and escaping what I truly am. I convinced myself for years that with dedication and hard work, I too could achieve “perfection”. “Perfection” being the many images sold to us through the media. Perfect flawless skin, immaculately groomed hair, statistically proportioned stick-insect-type body - all the things we are led to believe will bring us happiness and success in our daily lives. The truth is, that if we were to take all the glossy images we are given to be obtainable, our lives would be far from real. For our exteriors to appear as “perfect” as the images we are shown, we would probably need all manner of computer equipment to digitally enhance our appearances! Eradicating any mark or “imperfections” that make us unique and different in any way. Any small blemishes or differences in skin tone and texture, any signs that “Mother Nature” might not be pulling her weight in the “perfection” department. If only it was that easy to avoid all false advertising around us, then maybe we would all be more comfortable with our own images. We wouldn’t feel pressured to strive for unrealistic goals at the expense of our own happiness. We would accept ourselves for what we are - human beings, not digitally altered clones. Sure, in an “ideal” world, it would be wonderful to remove all “imperfections” with the click of a mouse. But at what expense? At the expense of our individuality. I can’t help thinking, that our lives would seem dull if we were all perfect replicas of each other. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be dictated to about our images in order to make our lives complete.
SEDA SELF-HELP GROUPS
A time of change and development. There will be no monthly self help groups over the next three months. SEDA Staff and Volunteers are instead working to develop a new programme of structured self-help, which will be offered as a weekly course over a set number of weeks in different areas of the county. We will obviously keep you informed as this new project develops - so watch this space! Also in the planning stages - Dinah and Anita are hoping to be able to offer therapeutic group work for people with eating disorders - more details to follow. So - thankyou to all of you who have used the groups - we will be back! 
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© 2004 ~Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association Date:   
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