I want to apologize to the group for that long post about childhood trauma.
My intention was to create some context for my eating disorders. But it was unfocused and didn't get to the point.
I've been a member for 14 years and I know childhood shaming is a big contributor to self-destructive eating behavior. But my responsibility and role here is to help, and find help, specifically for relevant eating issues.
I can help by sharing past trauma, but there's a line I crossed where I was not being helpful but tragic, and probably upset others here.
I only realized this by being awakened to a loud, scary domestic violence episode involving a neighbor couple in a car outside my window. It upset me terribly and is still not resolved.
I started thinking then about issues behind overeating. They're real and important, but our group is about bariatric surgery, not a forum for graphic stories of past abuse. I have a therapist for that sort of exploration and healing.
So I'm going back to topic so I can support you and you can support me in my actual struggles with eating. The issues we face in daily existence are challenging enough without adding horror stories that should remain in the past.
I don't live in the past. I survived and thrived, and I'm so happy to be here in this loving, brilliant group of like-minded people. My commitment to focusing on eating behavior is renewed.
Thank you all.