Hiding In Plain Sight

Recovery from Eating Disorders, Psychological Disorders, and Abuse

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Introducing "HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT" written by Autumn Christ. This book will give you insight into the struggles of Eating Disorders, Abuse, Self-Injury, Psychological Disorders and the journey towards Recovery and Healing.
 
 
Table of Contents:
  • Christine Mercer-Vernon's Artwork: Recovery, Triggered Feelings Raining Down and Road To Recovery.
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • ED
  • Anorexia Vs. Bulimia
  • Common Misconceptions
  • The Media
  • Athletes and ED
  • Men Vs. Women
  • Safe Vs. Not Safe Foods
  • Holidays
  • Triggers
  • Laxative Abuse
  • Over Exercising
  • Relapse
  • Partial Hospitalization
  • Recovery
  • Psychological Disorders
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Psychiatric Stay
  • Abuse
  • Control
  • Guilt
  • Emptiness
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares
  • Strength
  • Loving Yourself
  • Relationships
  • Faith
  • Life's Little Curves
  • Past Vs. Future
  • Journal Entries
  • Autumn's Journal Entries
  • Poetry
  • Letters
  • Children
  • Infertility
  • Special Thanks
  • Thank You Partial and IOP
  • In Loving Memory
  • Author's Note

 

 


 

 

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
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By: Autumn Christ

 

Eating Disorders are not about food, but about traumatic episodes that happen in our lives which make us act out in harmful and sometimes fatal ways. In this book you will find the warning signs and symptoms to identify with if you know someone who is dealing with these disorders. You will also see the path which is most common for learning to recover and heal one day at a time.

Eating Disorders have become so common over the past ten years, yet victims somehow are still able to conceal their misery and self-destructive behaviors from even their closest friends and family members. More than ten million women and men suffer everyday and the number is rapidly increasing everyday.

RECOVERY
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By Christine Mercer-Vernon

TRIGGERED FEELINGS RAINING DOWN
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By Christine Mercer-Vernon

HYPOCRISY
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Artist: Christine Mercer-Vernon

IS THIS BEAUTY
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Artist: Christine Mercer-Vernon

TRIGGERED FEELINGS
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Artist: Christine Mercer-Vernon

ROAD TO RECOVERY
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Artist: Christine Mercer-Vernon

Below is a summation of the art shown above. Christine Mercer-Vernon is a dear friend, inspiration and a wonderfully talented artist. I thank you Christine from the depths of my soul for being one of God's many gifts he has blessed me with in my life and recovery.

"Hypocrisy"

At first glance, this painting is of a woman with an incredibly fine-tuned physique, nice figure, perfect?? I painted this out of disgust for what society has dictated as a perfect figure. Woman and men struggle every day with body image. I work in fitness and with eating disorder sufferers, I see this day in and day out. Magazines such as Oxygen and M&F Hers all glorify the fitness competitor, they almost all brag about their "clean" diets, healthy foods, eaten at regular intervals, never any processed or "bad" foods, exercise programs we all wish we could commit to, an overall healthy lifestyle. BUT......a lot of them succumb to the call for larger breasts, and have breast augmentation feeling this completes their physique some hoping this will give them what they need to win the competitions. What message does this give? A little hypocrital, don't you think..............

"Recovery"

Initially weakened by her disease, Recovery has found new strengths in herself. Overcoming a dominating cloud of darkness, she has risen above and is walking a new road in life. Opening the door and allowing herself to be open as well, she welcomes those, still struggling, to join her on this journey. With a renewed sense of self-confidence she begins to pull herself up, stepping gingerly upon her pedestal. Though it is small, it is strong and steady and will support her as she raises her head smirking, she knows who she is.


Nourishing her body and facing her reflection no longer frighten her. She carries a symbolic shield of strength and beauty and grasps her rope with pride, knowing she has the power in her to keep herself steadily climbing.


"Triggered Feelings Raining Down"

An icon of strength for those recovering from an eating disorder, Recovery knows the struggles well, but she also knows we all possess the strength to pull ourselves up out of the darkness letting light shine upon us again.

Feelings of inadequacy, loss of control, sadness, depression, anxiety, wanting to be accepted, wanting to be perfect, wanting to be beautiful, hating myself, hating my reflection….. Sometimes they come out of nowhere, raining down on me, beating hard on my shoulders. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I go completely numb. Brought on by so many things. Why do I have to feel this way?

"Road To Recovery"

Recovering from an eating disorder is a like traveling a road plagued by drastically changing weather. Full of twists and turns, it's not an easy road to navigate. Crippling lightening, blinding darkness, storms that occur spontaneously above jagged mountains. Around the bend there are sloping hills and warm sunshine where, sometimes, you can lie in the fields and relax, self-assure. Occasionally, the storms sneak up on you, but if you stay on the road, keep your head up and step steadily along, trust that the clouds will part. Because, even with all the dark and dreary moments, there is hope that the sun will shine again, just around the bend.

"Alivia"

Is this beauty? Blonde hair, blue eyes, porcelain skin, petite, thin..........isn't this what all the magazines and media show us? Really, is this what beauty is?

 

"Triggered Feelings"

Another body image painting reflecting some poor feelings I was having towards myself on this day.

If you would like to purchase HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT please click on the following links.
 
 
 
 
 
If you would like more information on Christine Mercer-Vernon please click on the following link.