EATING DISORDERS and BODY IMAGE: Poll Results

*This post will be updated and polls added to the beginning as they are completed.

What is your experience with socialized medicine and the treatment of your ED/mental illness? US citizen: do you feel a federal based health care system would help or hurt getting the care you need for your ED/mental illness? (choose all that apply)

it's been a great asset	2 (11%)
received all I need	0 (0%)
difficult to get treatment	4 (22%)
had to wait (long)	1 (5%)
had to wait (short)	0 (0%)
refused treatment	3 (16%)
seen in a timely fashion	1 (5%)
US: feel would not be asset	6 (33%)
US: feel would be asset	6 (33%)

Votes: 18

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What are your favorite recovery tools?

(choose all that apply)

Journaling	24 (72%)
Art/ Creative Activities	16 (48%)
Inspirational Quotes	18 (54%)
Affirmations	7 (21%)
Group Meetings	10 (30%)
Therapy/Counseling	19 (57%)
Positive Self-Talk	8 (24%)
Supportive Friends	19 (57%)
Supportive Family	9 (27%)
Helping Others	9 (27%)
Websites	12 (36%)
Books	11 (33%)
Music (listening)	18 (54%)
Music (performing)	5 (15%)
Recovery Videos	7 (21%)
Meditation	9 (27%)
Physical Activity (non-obsessive)	11 (33%)
Blogging	12 (36%)
Religion/Faith	10 (30%)
Other	3 (9%)

Votes so far: 33


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I was exposed to disordered eating behaviors and/or body image issues by... (choose all that apply. BI-body image)
votes 104

	Mother	55 (52%)
	Father	26 (25%)
	Grandmother	17 (16%)
	Grandfather	5 (4%)
	Sister	25 (24%)
	Brother	11 (10%)
	Aunt	15 (14%)
	Uncle	6 (5%)
	Close Adult	13 (12%)
	Friend	53 (50%)
	Other	19 (18%)
	None	13 (12%)
	Exposed as a Child	54 (51%)
	Exposed as a Teen	71 (68%)
	Exposed as an Adult	32 (30%)
	Continuing Exposure	51 (49%)
	To ED behaviors	60 (57%)
	To BI Issues	56 (53%)
	I have an ED	72 (69%)
	I don't have an ED	14 (13%)
	I have BI Issues	66 (63%)
	I don't have BI issues	5 (4%)
	In Recovery	46 (44%)
	Not In Recovery	26 (25%)
	I am Male	4 (3%)
	I am Female	96 (92%)

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Do The Seasons Affect Your Eating Disorder? How has the arrival of spring made you feel? (choose all that apply) * please see additional related poll below
votes: 47

Yes, somewhat	12 (25%)
Yes, very much so	18 (38%)
Not that I've noticed	3 (6%)
Not at all	3 (6%)
Sometimes	10 (21%)
For the better	9 (19%)
For the worse	14 (29%)
I feel empowered	3 (6%)
I feel optimistic	9 (19%)
I feel anxious	16 (34%)
I feel renewed	7 (14%)
I feel depressed	15 (31%)
I feel hopeful	12 (25%)
I feel desperate	11 (23%)
I feel stronger	6 (12%)
I feel weaker	11 (23%)
I am bulimic	14 (29%)
anorexic	15 (31%)
compulsive overeater	8 (17%)
EDNOS	13 (27%)
Combination of EDs	14 (29%)

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Which Season Makes You Feel Better/Worse? (choose all that apply)
votes: 43

Best in SPRING	17 (39%)
Best in SUMMER	9 (20%)
Best in FALL	12 (27%)
Best in WINTER	9 (20%)
Worse in SPRING	4 (9%)
Worse in SUMMER	20 (46%)
Worse in FALL	6 (13%)
Worse in Winter	15 (34%)

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Have You Used Art Therapy To Aid Your Recovery?
(choose all that apply)
Votes: 57

Yes, in therapy	20 (35%)
Yes, on my own	20 (35%)
It's helped me	26 (45%)
I didn't like it	7 (12%)
I do it regularly	8 (14%)
No, never	10 (17%)
Don't want to try it	4 (7%)
Know someone it helps	6 (10%)
Others' art helps me	9 (15%)
Love it	14 (24%)
I doodle in my journal	22 (38%)
Thinking about trying it	3 (5%)
I find it triggering	6 (10%)
Uninterested	2 (3%)
Yes, recently	14 (24%)
Yes, a long time ago	10 (17%)

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Are you doing anything for National Eating Disorders Week, and if so, what are you doing?
(choose all that apply)
votes: 46

Yes 23 (50%)

No 6 (13%)

Undecided 2 (4%)

Uninterested 1 (2%)

Journaling 10 (21%)

Blogging 9 (19%)

Spreading the word 20 (43%)

Educating others 17 (36%)

Educating myself 23 (50%)

A scheduled event 10 (21%)

Helping others 8 (17%)

Working on my recovery 23 (50%)

Taking first step/recovery 2 (4%)

Reaching out for myself 15 (32%)

Reaching out to others 16 (34%)

Sharing my story 15 (32%)

I don't know what to do 10 (21%)

Nothing 2 (4%)


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Has writing/journaling helped you in your struggles with your Eating Disorder, or in your recovery?

votes 26

Yes, when I'm struggling	12 (46%)
No, not when I'm struggling	0 (0%)
Sometimes, when I'm struggling	6 (23%)
Yes, with my recovery	7 (26%)
No, not with my recovery	3 (11%)
Sometimes, with my recovery	3 (11%)
I don't write/journal	1 (3%)
Others' writings help me	5 (19%)
I'm interested in reading others writings	7 (26%)

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How does the Arrival of a New Year make you feel about recovery and/or your eating disorder? (choose all that apply):
votes:77

Hopeful 32 (41%)

Renewed 16 (20%)

Fearful 25 (32%)

Anxious 29 (37%)

Excited 11 (14%)

Angry 8 (10%)

Depressed 22 (28%)

Strengthened 12 (15%)

Ready to try again 22 (28%)

Stressed 21 (27%)

Encouraged 6 (7%)

Pressured 24 (31%)

Inspired 13 (16%)

Despondent 2 (2%)

Proud of my recovery 10 (12%)

Hopeless 14 (18%)

Thrilled 5 (6%)

Nervous 30 (38%)

It has no meaning to me 6 (7%)

I'm not in recovery 11 (14%)

I'm in recovery 17 (22%)

I want to recover 31 (40%)

I don't want to recover 21 (27%)


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What Was The Inspiration That Caused You To Seek Recovery From Your ED? (choose all that apply)votes: 36

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My Recovery, One Word At A Time (choose as many words as you feel relate to your ED recovery).
Votes: 26

					Joy 8 (30%) Freedom 11(42%)
					Security 3 (11%)
					Identity 12 (46%)
					Elusive 4 (15%)
					Community 4 (15%)
					Fear 17 (65%)
					Difficult 20 (76%)
					Fleeting 3 (11%)
					Enduring 3 (11%)
					Happy 6 (23%)
					Anxiety 14 (53%)
					Support 10 (38%)
					Affirming 6 (23%)
					Effortless 0 (0%)
					Failing 12 (46%)
					Attempting 12 (46%)
					Succeeding 6 (23%)
					Desired 15 (57%)
					Unwanted 5 (19%)
					Renewed 5 (19%)
					Unnecessary 2 (7%)
					Assisted 4 (15%)
					Monitored 5 (19%)
					Depressing 10 (38%)
					Inspired 7 (26%)
					Considering 3 (11%)
					Unassisted 2 (7%)
					Panic 10 (38%)
					Apprehensive 9 (34%)
					Scary 15 (57%)
					Amazing 12 (46%)

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My Eating Disorder, One Word At A Time (choose as many words as you feel fit your views, feelings, and experience, with your ED, excluding recovery).

Votes: 65

Desperation	43 (66%)
Hopelessness	47 (72%)
Fear	39 (60%)
Anger	42 (64%)
Shame	52 (80%)
Embarrassment	42 (64%)
Worthlessness	44 (67%)
Perfection	25 (38%)
Hunger	33 (50%)
Loneliness	47 (72%)
Rage	19 (29%)
Dishonesty	40 (61%)
Superiority	24 (36%)
Belonging	15 (23%)
Community	10 (15%)
Beauty	22 (33%)
Bones	31 (47%)
Achievement	38 (58%)
Thinspiration	21 (32%)
Control	42 (64%)
Love	15 (23%)
Doom	15 (23%)
Temporary	9 (13%)
Dieting	23 (35%)
Controlled	22 (33%)
Defeated	29 (44%)
Bloated	29 (44%)
Disgusted	50 (76%)
Powerless	41 (63%)

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My (a) child has witnessed me ___. (choose all that apply)
Votes: 35

complain about my weight 31 (88%)

weigh myself several times a day 15 (42%)

eat very little 22 (62%)

vomit/purge 5 (14%)

upset about my appearance due to my weight 27 (77%)

belittle myself because of my weight 25 (71%)

binge/eat compulsively 15 (42%)

hide/horde food 10 (28%)

exercise compulsively 9 (25%)

depressed about my weight/appearance 25 (71%)

avoid activities/functions due to my weight 17 (48%)

obsess about weight loss 23 (65%)

make negative comments about another's weight 10 (28%)

dieting 28 (80%)

cut or injure myself 4 (11%)

lie about what I've eaten 13 (37%)

me struggle with an ED 11 (31%)

recover from an ED 2 (5%)




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I have ____ food. (fill in the blank with all that apply)
Votes: 71

hoarded 33 (46%)

hidden 47 (66%)

stolen (food or $ for food) 21 (29%)

secretly thrown away 49 (69%)

purged 41 (57%)

binged 49 (69%)

secretly eaten 50 (70%)

given away, to keep from eating 55 (77%)

severely restricted 53 (74%)

denied eating 47 (66%)

obsessed over 55 (77%)

denied not eating 49 (69%)

felt bad about myself because of 64 (90%)

kept track of other's intake of 46 (64%)

felt bad about someone else because of 29 (40%)

gone days without eating any 29 (40%)

gone days eating very little 58 (81%)

an unhealthy relationship with 55 (77%)

decided the enemy is 36 (50%)

defined myself by my relationship with 46 (64%)

hidden from others my problems with 54 (76%)

a tremendous fear of 42 (59%)

no problems with 2 (2%)

been discriminated against-
because of my relationship with 11 (15%)

isolated because of my relationship with 34 (47%)

felt ashamed because of my relationship with 52 (73%)

I have felt hopeless because of my relationship with 55 (77%)

a healthy relationship with 2 (2%)

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Has the portrayal of beauty in the media had an affect on you or a loved one? (Please choose all that apply) *please note that "child" = your child or any child that you know who has let their feelings be known to you.
Votes: 35


I feel unattractive 33 (94%)

I feel fat 33 (94%)

I feel worthless 20 (57%)

I feel angry 20 (57%)

I feel hopeless 21 (60%)

exacerbates my ED 16 (45%)

child feels unattractive 4 (11%)

child feels fat 5 (14%)

child feels worthless 2 (5%)

child feels angry 1 (2%)

child feels hopeless 1 (2%)

exacerbates child's ED 2 (5%)

I strive to look like them 18 (51%)

child strives to look like them 3 (8%)

It's positive incentive 3 (8%)

what's the big deal? 2 (5%)

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Know Someone With An ED?
Votes: 37

Self 20 (54%)

Spouse 0 (0%)

Adult Family Member 3 (8%)

Teen Family Member 4 (10%)

Child Family Member 1 (2%)

Adult Friend 8 (21%)

Teen Friend 4 (10%)

Child Friend 1 (2%)

I'm not sure 4 (10%)

No 4 (10%)

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Body Image Poll: choose as many as apply
votes: 50

I am happy and content with my body 8 (16%)

My body makes me feel unattractive 23 (46%)

I absolutely LOVE my body no matter what 1 (2%)

I cannot imagine myself ever feeling happy with my body 14 (28%)

How I look determines my sense of worth 9 (18%)

I hate my body 11 (22%)

Trying to look perfect has resulted in an ED or other self-destructive behavior 3 (26%)

I'm learning to love myself for who I am, not what I look like 20 (40%)

I am unhappy with my body but I don't let that determine my self-worth 17 (34%)

It's important that I'm thin and beautiful 9 (18%)

I am beautiful just as I am 8 (16%)

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What Has Helped Me Recover From My ED:
select all that apply
votes: 27

Journaling / Writing 13 (48%)

Therapy/ Counseling 8 (29%)

Family / Friends 11 (40%)

In-Patient Treatment Center 3 (11%)

Out-Patient Treatment 5 (18%)

Online Recovery Forum(s) 13 (48%)

Other 3 (11%)

I'm Not In Recovery From My ED 7 (25%)

I Don't Want To Recover 6 (22%)



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How old were you when you first remember having negative feelings about your body? How do you feel about your body now?
Votes: 79

Younger than 7 11 (13%)

8 to 12 years old 38 (48%)

13 to 16 years old 18 (22%)

17 to 21 years old 6 (7%)

22 to 28 years old 2 (2%)

29 to 35 years old 2 (2%)

36 to 42 years old 3 (3%)

43 to 50 years old 1 (1%)

51 to 60 years old 0 (0%)

over 60 years old 0 (0%)

I am content with my body now 4 (5%)

I'm becoming more comfortable with body as I age 16 (20%)

I still do not like my body 44 (55%)


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I've Had Or Currently Have:
Votes: 29

Anorexia 6 (20%)

Bulimia 7 (24%)

Bulimarexia 5 (17%)

Orthorexia 3 (10%)

Compulsive Overeating 10 (34%)

Binge Eating Disorder 10 (34%)

Drunkarexia 1 (3%)

ED-NOS 2 (6%)

Other not listed 0 (0%)

I suspect I have an ED 7 (24%)

My ED is still active 6 (20%)

I am recovering 3 (10%)

I have fully recovered 1 (3%)

I'm afraid to seek help 7 (24%)

I do not want to recover 3 (10%)

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In addition to my ED (please choose ED(s) from list), I also suffer from:
(please choose all that apply)
Votes: 25


Anorexia 12 (48%)

Bulimia 6 (24%)

Bulimarexia 4 (16%)

Orthorexia 2 (8%)

Compulsive Overeating 9 (36%)

Binge Eating Disorder 7 (28%)

Drunkarexia 0 (0%)

EDNOS 4 (16%)

Other ED not listed 0 (0%)

Depression 11 (44%)

Bipolar 2 (8%)

OCD 5 (20%)

ADD/ADHD 2 (8%)

Anxiety Disorder 9 (36%)

Borderline Personality Disorder 1 (4%)

Histrionic Personality Disorder 1 (4%)

Self Injury (cutting, branding, etc) 7 (28%)

Panic Attacks/Disorder 6 (24%)

Alcohol Abuse/Addiction 2 (8%)

Drug Abuse/Addiction 1 (4%)

BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) 6 (24%)

Schizophrenia 0 (0%)

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) 5 (20%)

Impulse Control Disorder 2 (8%)

Sleep Disorder 6 (24%)

Other not listed 4 (16%)

Nothing in addition to my ED 2 (8%)





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I have an eating disorder:
(select all that apply)
Votes: 50

but no one knows 14 (28%)

friends suspect / I deny 11 (22%)

family suspects/ I deny 14 (28%)

coworkers suspect/I deny 2 (4%)

I've told a family member(s) 17 (34%)

I've told a friend(s) 22 (44%)

I've told my therapist 17 (34%)

only others with an ED know 5 (10%)

those close to me know 15 (30%)

I'll never tell anyone 8 (16%)

I'm afraid to tell anyone 8 (16%)

I've told anyone that needs to know 9 (18%)

I'm trying to find a way to tell 5 (10%)

I've only admitted to it online 11 (22%)