Why Do I Actively Try To Stay Sick?
From Ask Kati Anything by Kati Morton, LMFT
March 5, 2026 · 1h 3m · Episode 304
About this episode
Kati Morton explores the reasons behind clinging to harmful behaviors and provides tools for recovery from eating disorders and trauma.
Why do we cling to the behaviors that hurt us most? In this episode, Kati Morton, LMFT, dives into the physiological and emotional complexities of eating disorder recovery, trauma responses, and the "why" behind our most difficult survival mechanisms. We explore the "safety" found in cycles like bulimia or anorexia when living in neglectful environments, and Kati provides actionable tools for those navigating C-PTSD, DID, and intimacy after divorce. The "Freeze" Response: Understanding "bed-locking" and C-PTSD. Complicated Grief: Why you might feel numb when an abuser passes away. The Feelings Wheel: Practical tools for naming emotions when you feel disconnected. Dissociation & DID: Managing treatment while living in an unsafe home. Shopping with our sponsors helps support Ask Kati Anything. Please check out this week's special offers: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code KATI oneskin.co/KATI Zocdoc: find and book top-rated doctors, therapists, or mental health providers near you in minutes zocdoc.com/kati Remi: protect your teeth from grinding with a custom-fit night guard. Go to shopremi.com/KATI and use code KATI at checkout for 50% off Hers: visit forhers.com/kati to get a…
People in this episode
Host: Kati Morton
Topics covered
- eating disorder recovery
- trauma responses
- C-PTSD
- DID
- intimacy after divorce
- grief
- emotional numbness
- dissociation
Keywords
- bulimia
- anorexia
- neglectful environments
- emotional complexities
- survival mechanisms
Sponsors
OneSkin, Zocdoc, Remi, Hers
Mentioned in this episode
Products: OneSkin, Zocdoc, Remi, Hers
Books & works: Ask Kati Anything, The Feelings Wheel
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