Haley H. Freeman: Choosing Life After Anorexia Killed Me
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Haley used to pray she would die because she was so depressed, but chose life when she had a near death experience. Listen to her share her story of hope and healing.

Episode Discussion Points

• Why they call Anorexia “the 10-Headed Monster.” For her, some of her monsters were low self-esteem, depression, negative self-talk, believing you need diet, being a perfectionist, people commenting on her weight loss (that she looked good), feeling guilty for eating (it isn’t “fat-free or guilt-free”).
• Even when her brother and parents tried to help her, she lied, acted very confrontational and ran away to hide—because this was her coping mechanism.
• She even refused to go to the doctor—because she wasn’t ready to give up Anorexia yet.
• Anorexia is a mind game.
• Some of the physical symptoms of anorexia
• The day where she felt like her heart was going to give up, and how she prayed she wouldn’t die.
• Getting help at a treatment facility and a hospital
• How her mom had to go to bat for her and spoon feed her at the hospital because she was so incoherent and so weak that she couldn’t do it herself
• Glimpsing the other side and being with her sister and grandmother who had passed away.
• How she felt the Savior’s love and the love of her family in that place
• How she was given a choice—she wasn’t done with her earth’s mission yet and how she was meant to write her book and have a family and help others.
• Never doubt God’s love and that you have such a unique mission to fulfill
• Choosing to live even when she had been praying that she would die. Knowing she had a purpose helped her choose to live.
• Her sister told her to learn sign language—and it replaced her obsession with anorexia.
• If you are trying to heal from an eating disorder—find a passion—something that makes you excited to replace the disorder.
• Her prognosis was she would have brain damage, and how she miraculously healed without deficits.
• How important it is to get therapy specific for eating disorders.
• There is hope and healing available from eating disorders, but you need help from others (specifically therapists) and from God.
• There are self-esteem building exercises in the back of her children’s books which will help parents teach their children about self-love.
• She wrote her children’s books because parents asked her how they can help their children have good self-esteem.
• The key to being comfortable in your own skin is to catch the negative self-talk and stop it. Remind yourself that you have worth and it is important you tell yourself good and positive things not only for your good, but for your children’s good because they will follow your example.
• Think about all the things you can be thankful for with your body—how your arms and eyes work.
• It’s not to late to stop a negative pattern in your family. Start today!
• The story behind the illustrations on her new book.

Favorite Quote

Haley’s favorite quote by Naomi Wolf, “A mother who radiates self-love and acceptance actually vaccinates her daughter against low self-esteem.”

Advice for Parents

• Never give up on your child
• What your child want you to know: the disorder destroys your body and your soul and changes your personality. Please know—the real them is still in there. They don’t want to act that way. They need help and want help.
• Once your child gets treatment, the real them will return.
• Don’t diet!!!! This is like exposing your child to their addiction while they are recovering. Be on their side! Give them a clean environment to recover in.

Favorite Bible Verse

John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you."

Connect with Haley

• Website: HaleyHFreeman.com
• Buy her books on Amazon
• Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #anorexia #eatingdisorders #neardeathexperience #depression #mentalhealth #dontgiveup

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/haley-freeman-choosing-life-after-anorexia-killed-me