Request: Girlfriend enters residential treatment then tells me she cheated on me and expects me to think that's okay. Why did she do this?

It's true. It's obvious you're empathetic toward her in ways only genuine love could manifest- so it's understandable you're looking for advice. But I think you know that brings human beings, we occasionally fuck up in huge ways throughout our lives. It sounds like she's just hit a mega milestone at depths you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. ED sucks so much- it's an all encompassing nightmare and she's going to need as much support as she can get. I was an absolute mess when I went to battle with my BN and I lost a few friends in the process. I can't even tell you how hard it was coming to terms with the fact that I was such a mess, I couldn't keep two people I loved dearly around from foolish behavior. The reasons I made such a huge mess we're all heavily related to the obsessive hold ED can have on a persons own self worth. I mean you've got to really really despise yourself in order to succumb to purging, uncontrollable bingeing and dangerous resisting. It took me about a year of therapy around losing them to finally feel like I had some of my life back. I don't know your girlfriend or if she's as sensitive as I am- but I think trying to wait until she gets out would be the mature thing to do. She has got to get better and I highly doubt she has enough self esteem at the moment to provide you with even a moment of what you're hoping for right now. If anything step back and outside of your relationship complexes with her and try to imagine being her friend again. Once she's recovered a bit more, maybe a few months down the line- It's reasonable to expect a genuine apology and game plan around her massive fuck up. You might want to also invest in a therapist to mediate your current dilemma because you're right- this whole thing is just as complex and confusing as it looks.

/r/EatingDisorders Thread Parent