eating disordered - no insurance - can't afford treatment - what now?

i have anorexia but i have no insurance and i cant afford to go to a treatment centre. i have managed to gain 7 lbs, making my BMI no longer clinically anorexic, but mentally and in regards to eating behaviors im still very eating disordered. besides im scared im going to try to lose the weight ive gained and more. which is really not good because i have to go into exploratory surgery in a few months and im supposed to be GAINING weight for that, not losing it. im just so scared that i dont have the willpower to gain back enough weight and force myself to eat right so i can be healthy in time for my surgery. i know i need treatment but i just cant afford it. are there any options for people who cant afford treatment?

im afraid no one will care anyway, since im not so underweight as to be dying, im not even a clinically anorexic weight anymore, so since im not in huge danger no centre would care about the fact i need help even though i cant afford it. im just scared of trying to beat this alone, and especially of sabatoging the health i need for a successful surgery, because i dont feel like i can go at recovery alone and be succesful. i keep trying and i keep relapsing. it wouldnt be so urgent if it wasnt for my upcoming surgery but i feel like i dont have time to mess around with this and yet i cant seem to stop it on my own. and ive got no money for treatment - how in the world do all you people afford such astronomical fees anyway??? what do i do???? ;\

I responded to your other post as well and I am sorry you are struggling and are facing surgery. I know this is a hard battle but please try to stay strong and recover so you can be strong for your surgery and life. I have insurance but it does not cover my ed treatment and never did. Even when I was in the cardiac unit from my anorexia and severly underweight they would not cover any ed treatment so getting super low is not the answer and it is only hurting yourself. Is there any way you could afford op treatment as some will work on a sliding scale of what you can afford. Most people who work with ed know this is also a mental disorder so it is not just about weight. Please take care

First of all, you don't have to be underweight to be unwell. Unfortunately, doctors really don't seem to recognise this, a painful part of stigma that frankly pisses me off.

Now, on treatment.

Something Fishy: How Will I Pay?

The above link details what you can do regarding payment for treatment and those that offer free or low cost care. You could also consider Overeaters Anonymous meetings as a general support group as they look at the matters behind disorganised eating patterns rather than focus on obesity or overeating and so can be very helpful to an anorexic as much they could an overeater.

http://www.oa.org/index.htm

I do wish you luck in getting better, in fighting this, and hopefully finding help. It honestly makes me so mad when people are literally unable to get help they want because they have to pay for it.

aw i am so sorry about this.

have you ever heard of mercy ministries? it is christian based and they offer free treatment. you have to send in an application for admission & i've heard sometimes the wait can be kind of long. i've heard nothing but good things about it though from people who went there for eating disorders. check out their website here.

also check out this website. it's for scholarships.

this is also very helpful.

good luck & keep fighting <33