About Jessica Hudgens, Author of the Surviving ED Blog
I'm Jess. I'm twenty seven. I love to take jumping pictures. I have more books than my bookcase can hold, all organized by genre. I sing along to Broadway show tunes while I work. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and History and I’m in the process of applying to graduate schools. I have huge heart for people with special needs and mental illnesses.
Oh, and I'm recovering from Anorexia Nervosa.
I struggled with an eating disorder, undiagnosed and untreated, from ages 14 to 24. My eating disorder became out of control when I was 24 and though I was still deeply in denial, there was no denying the diagnostic code 307.1 written on all of my paperwork at doctor's offices. I was in recovery for a while, then relapsed. Then eating disorder residential treatment center, then relapsed. Then partial hospitalization, then relapse. Another stint in partial hospitalization, followed by a relapse that nearly killed me. Four months in a hospital and residential facility. And now…recovering.
I'm not recovered -- far from it. The eating disorder recovery process is long and hard and painful and I am still very much in the midst of it. But I AM recovering. Day by day, bite by bite. I know that full recovery is possible, because I know people who have done it. I won't settle for anything less. I hope you won't either.
I don't promise to be perfect. I don't promise that I will make huge recovery victories every day. But I promise this: I will be honest. Because that's the only way to recover.
Whether you have an eating disorder or know someone with an eating disorder, I hope this little corner of the web helps you find peace and hope. If you know someone with an eating disorder, I hope you can begin to understand how they are suffering and how you can best support them. If you have an eating disorder, I hope you find new perspective and begin to believe that a full recovery is possible for you, too.
Video: Why I'm Writing About Surviving Eating Disorders
Jess can also be found on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.
(P.S. My articles will be appearing every Thursday, starting Dec. 27, 2012)
APA Reference
Hudgens, J.
(2012, December 16). About Jessica Hudgens, Author of the Surviving ED Blog, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, December 22 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/survivinged/2012/12/about-jessica-hudgens
Author: Jessica Hudgens
hi my name is Elly. i am 17 years old and tomorrow is my first day of my senior year. i have struggled with my eating disorder for as long as i can remember. i recently got back from my second treatment center. i was there for about 4 months. i went in at XX pounds and i am 5 foot 3. i thought i was a walking blob of fat. i now am home and am finding it so hard to stay on the "path" of recovery; however, today i realized something. i have value simply because i am a human being, you have to have food to live. i hope tomorrow i can continue in fueling Elly and deal with staying away from ED. i just wanted to tell someone.
Elly,
Thanks so much for sharing your story -- I hope you don't mind that I censored the numbers, as I don't want them to trigger anyone else. I'm so glad you've realized that you have worth simply because you ARE!! I think this is a huge step in anyone's recovery (it certainly was in mine) -- keep fighting your eating disorder and fueling your wonderful body!
And have a marvelous senior year!
Jess
Jessica,
I just stumbled on your blog and I'm so glad I did. I'm many things: a sister, daughter, college student (HISTORY MAJOR!), and sorority sister. I don't like to think of myself as a bulimic, just someone who has bulimia.
I just went through & read, basically, all of your blog entries. I can relate to so much, and even though I wish no one should ever have to go through the hell that is an eating disorder, it's also nice to know I'm not alone.
I dealt with my bulimia for over two years before going into recovery. However, I've recently relapsed and, slowly but surely, these behaviors have started taking over my life again. I know it's going to be hard, but I'm also trying to take it day by day.
You're a beautiful person, inside and out & jumping pictures are definitely the best kind! Stay strong & lots of love <3
Carmen,
Thanks for your comment! I think the best part about it is that you don't identify yourself as "a bulimic" but as a whole person who happens to struggle with bulimia. That attitude will aid you a lot in your recovery. I'm sorry to hear that you've been slipping lately -- it's always tough to ask for support, but do your best to use your team and friends and family to help you get out of that cycle!
Keep reading and commenting! Like you said, it's nice to know that we're not alone in this struggle and I think we can all aid each other by sharing ideas that have worked for us, etc. (I post every Thursday!)
Stay strong,
Jess
Jess, you're such a beautiful person. You can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to start stalking this blog. Love you, m'dear.
Its so great you got this up and running, its fabulous! You are a hero to everyone who knows you...now just be your own.
Alison (from cfc)
Thanks, Alison! "Hero" might be stretching it a bit, but it is definitely my hope that my own struggles with inspire others in their own fight against their eating disorder!
The list of reasons why you are so awesome just keeps getting longer. Love you!
What a beautiful person you are.
Your words fill me with hope and motivate me to keep fighting for freedom from anorexia. It is a long process, filled with bumps, but if we keep holding on despite the fear and discomfort, we will get there.
" I don’t promise to be perfect. I don’t promise that I will make huge recovery victories every day. But I promise this: I will be honest."
Honesty is one of our greatest weapons and it takes courage to start telling the truth. To break free from the web of lies ED has spun for us.
Take it step by step, Jess - always remember that every moment present us with an opportunity to recover. To take the slice of bread. To sit down and allow ourselves to rest.
Looking forward to read your posts :-)
I love you Jess. You are one of my biggest hero's!! I am on my way but still not there yet!!! but......I will get there!!
Luv ya, Jess. I really liked how the first paragraph made it clear that you are not an eating disorder ... you are an amazing person, with an eating disorder. (Always interesting when someone says, "I'm ADD" not "I have ADD". It's a Kafkaesque accomplishment to transform from a human into your very diagnosis.)
Thanks for being such a great friend to my Wonderful Daughter! Thanks!
Your daughter is a wonderful and true friend. I am glad to have met her. Thanks for reading!
I love your intro paragraph. Sometimes I end up thinking all I am is a mess with food/eating, and then stop and remember all of the awesome and interesting things that I am.
Glad you can see that you are more than just recovering from ED.
I certainly crafted that introductory paragraph with great deliberation. It's definitely easy to get caught up in the lie that we are JUST our eating disorders. We're not, of course, and I'm glad you're able to see that too!
Very proud of you Jess! You inspired me to address my own personal struggles by being so open with yours. Good luck with your blog. I am looking forward to being a witness to your success.
Ermergerd. JESS. This is fabulous. I'm so excited for you!
love you jess! i am so proud of you! ill be a healthy fitness contributor! LOL you make us all loo good baby gril! keep your head up, remember your divine potential!
Welcome to HealthyPlace, Jess and thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Looking forward to reading all your blogs. Patricia Avila
Thanks for reading, Patricia! I'm so excited about my new relationship with HealthyPlace!
You continue to floor me with your bravery, compassion, tenacity and creativity! Love you friend. KLB