Support Group

[Cerise]

Good idea!

We're getting Fish Food, Chocolate Therapy, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge (my favorites) and some of Leisha and Jade's favorites. My Brothers don't get a choice. They eat whats put infront of them.

[Eli]

This isn't exactly a support seeking question it's more like... I'm hoping for some help even if it's not related to my personal life and feelings.

Does anyone know anything about requirements if you want to work at like a youth center? I know you can volunteer, but I imagine that if you volunteer at a center you would have to have some kind of education or background knowledge to actually get to work with the kids, not only make coffee and clean the bathrooms and stuff. I guess it is different from country to country, but I'm especially thinking about the US and Canada. I can't really find any education that fits that kind of work. The closest I have gotten so far is psychologist, social worker and teacher, but that sounds a bit weird to me. Is it enough to have basic experience, some subjects like sociology and communication and possibly like a basic councelling course or something? I mean, aren't there volunteer councellors who do basic councelling and then help transferring people to psychologists etc. if necessary?

[-Karen-]

I'm far from an expert in these matters but I have known spmeone who have been involved in youth work in the past. As far as I know she didn't need any qualifications initially as she went in voluntarily as an assistant. They just helped out with activities, organising trips, helping the kids sort out minor issues, etc. I think they did the odd bit of coffee making and sandwich making too though! She went to college part time to do qualifications in basic counselling and mentoring at the same time as working voluntarily. She now works in a call centre unfortunately as there are not many full time jobs in youth work and couldn't afford to work as a volunteer forever. I think she occasionally helps out when she has time.

I also know someone who did Camp America, although I don't know a huge amount about the requirements of it. He didn't have any qualifications but did have some experience of working with young people in another role. I think you can go in as a basic counsellor or a specialist coach in things like art or football.

I think that if you want to volunteer at a youth centre as a basic assistant then I think the only requirement would be a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. That is the UK but I am not sure what the requirements would be in other countries.

[Eli]

Thankyou! That was pretty much exactly what I was hoping for! My plan right now (it keeps changing slightly) is to go to Uni in Minnesota (or somewhere else in the US) and I really want to volunteer at some kind of youth center (right now the no. 1 wish is district 202 in Minneapolis ). And I don't mind making a few sandwiches or some coffee (I do that in my current job as well ) I just don't want that to be all. I really want to try the basic sort-out-minor-issues-counselling and organize activities as well, like you said.

Thanks for replying!

[Oxidizer]

Whatever eating disorder I have (I refuse to call it anorexia because I eat - just extremely low calorie stuff) has just become ridiculous. It took me half an hour or so before I actually had the 'courage' to eat the first bite of a bowl of cereal. You know, I find it kinda funny actually.

Last night I ate 3 sticks of celery and felt okay, but then I physically couldn't eat anything else because I felt greedy. It's stupid because I know that is not greedy.

And just now I tried to eat something normal; that turned out to be half a biscuit and even then I just chewed it and spat it out (okay, you probably could've done without knowing that ). As I type this I've got another window open, scouring the net for pro-ana sites for tips of how to get away with not eating at Xmas without causing suspicion.

I'm really sorry BTW, 'cause this is the wrong place to post this, 'cause I'm not really in need of support or advice, I just needed to vent.

[Zetti]

If you refuse to acknoweldge it as to what danger it can be, theres not much anyone can do for you and I do know what it is like as I have had someone go through it.

Just be strong and you will somehow in your own change

[claire_louise]

Whatever eating disorder I have (I refuse to call it anorexia because I eat - just extremely low calorie stuff) has just become ridiculous. It took me half an hour or so before I actually had the 'courage' to eat the first bite of a bowl of cereal. You know, I find it kinda funny actually.

Last night I ate 3 sticks of celery and felt okay, but then I physically couldn't eat anything else because I felt greedy. It's stupid because I know that is not greedy.

And just now I tried to eat something normal; that turned out to be half a biscuit and even then I just chewed it and spat it out (okay, you probably could've done without knowing that ). As I type this I've got another window open, scouring the net for pro-ana sites for tips of how to get away with not eating at Xmas without causing suspicion.

I'm really sorry BTW, 'cause this is the wrong place to post this, 'cause I'm not really in need of support or advice, I just needed to vent.

1. Anorexics do eat, so what you have is actually quite likely to be anorexia. The reason the illness can unnoticed for so long is because sufferers don't stop eating completely, they just eat as little as they can get away with. Which, correct me if I'm wrong, is exactly what you're doing.

2. Don't apologise for posting - that's precisely what this thread exists for! If it helps you in the slightest then please post as much as you like!

3. You know what I think you should do, so I won't preach. But the fact that you know how bad your relationship with food is means that you also know that you have a problem, right? And problems don't just go away by themselves, they need dealing with.

[Cerise]

Whatever eating disorder I have (I refuse to call it anorexia because I eat - just extremely low calorie stuff) has just become ridiculous. It took me half an hour or so before I actually had the 'courage' to eat the first bite of a bowl of cereal. You know, I find it kinda funny actually.

Last night I ate 3 sticks of celery and felt okay, but then I physically couldn't eat anything else because I felt greedy. It's stupid because I know that is not greedy.

And just now I tried to eat something normal; that turned out to be half a biscuit and even then I just chewed it and spat it out (okay, you probably could've done without knowing that ). As I type this I've got another window open, scouring the net for pro-ana sites for tips of how to get away with not eating at Xmas without causing suspicion.

I'm really sorry BTW, 'cause this is the wrong place to post this, 'cause I'm not really in need of support or advice, I just needed to vent.

I've been reading your posts in regard to this problem, but I don't think I've replied before. But i think it's time I shared my little bit of knowledge.

First of all, I can't tell if you're anorexic or not just by reading your posts, but I'm getting the impression that your on that path. Your attitude to food may seam ridiculous or funny, and I'd probably think that too if I hadn't studied and had personal experiences in this area before.

Okay, three sticks of celery - Even though I understand how your mind is thinking that you've eaten THREE of something, and it goes straight to alert. Because you've made such a habit of it, your body will automatically send out signals. I'd normally say to ignore it, but I know you can't ignore it.

Can I just say, Anorexia, Eating Disorders, Bulimia etc. are just horrible things. And can I also add; In heavens name DO NOT read the pro-ana sites, whatever you do! They are sick sick sick, designed to make you sick. I'd stay well away.

*crawls back into hole*

[Cal]

Andy, I don't know what you are going though. But I do know what will happen. You'll end up in hospital being fed by a tube. Just please TRY and eat a bit more, even if it is an extra piece of veg or fruit.

[Oxidizer]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you're really sweet people.

I'm seriously considering seeing my GP after New Years' and getting myself sorted out. The only things stopping me are A.) I really don't wanna start opening up about whatever triggers had caused it and B.) in fear of putting on too much weight ( ).

Anyway, I'll get it sorted eventually. Holding off will only make it harder to do in the long run, right?