I would only have bought discounted fruit, therefore I only nicked discounted fruit. (Note: while I personally was “underweight” as per your standard BMI chart, a person doesn’t have to be a low weight to be underweight, hence a person in an average or large body may be just as sick as I was.) Basically I only stole things that I would have bought anyway. For example, if I were going to steal an apple, I would take either the cheapest one available or, even better, one that had been marked down for quick sale. But here is the really odd part - I would only steal the cheapest of things. Sometimes I would steal from grocery stores. I would steal condiments from the canteen. I would steal toilet roll from the University toilets. If people had noticed I was doing it I doubt they would have bothered saying anything. Frankly I am sure I wasn’t very good at it but the sorts of things I was taking wasn’t worth anyone’s time. I only ever stole inexpensive food items. I was utterly opposed to the notion that I had an eating disorder due to the stigma attached, and would walk out on anyone who attempted to tell me the truth. I was hideously underweight and what felt like “no-way-out” sick at that time. When not in a state of chronic malnutrition I am none of these things. Studies have linked stealing behaviour and illness severity, and I tend to agree. When I was sick - chronically malnourished - I was tightly wound, irritable, aggressive, prone to not telling the truth about what I had eaten/exercise, and a low-level thief. “Anorexia turns us into the contradiction of our authentic selves.” Important note #2: This post is in no way excusing stealing if you have Anorexia. Important note #1: Not all people with Anorexia have the urge to steal. Hence, stealing behaviour and Bulimia also correlate. I write about Anorexia because I am using my own experience to illustrate this post, but I believe that Anorexia and Bulimia are different states/expressions of the same illness - that is restriction. It’s important as shame is a present enough feeling for a person in recovery from Anorexia as it is - thinking that you are a monster because you nicked a small bag of instant risotto from Tescos doesn’t have to pile on top. A recurrent urge to steal, typically without regard for need or profit.
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