Hey All! I'm new to this idea so please bear with me. I've been doing research and think I have all the symptoms associated with typical anorexia without the actual restricted eating. I look for approval from everyone and had how I look. I have one of the worst distorted body images ever and everyone always tells me that I'm beautiful but it goes in one ear and out the other. I also have to live a very organized life or I go nuts. Do any of you think it's possible that I have the mind set of an anorexia but don't restrict my eating? Thanks in advance for any help!

Hey,

I don't think you have an eating disorder but you do sound very similar to how I was several years ago. I don't think you have anything to worry about but plz plz plz don't ever start dieting strictly. Like you, I hate my body image, I am v organised etc and I soon found myself in the terrible cycle of starve, binge purge and its not nice. Many people with the characteristics you describe don't have any eating disorder but all I would say is dont obsessively start dieting or anything. Its not worth it. U r lucky, u have realised now that having obsessive tendancies and distorted body image etc u cud end up with a problem but dont go there!!! It is majorly NOT worth it.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask anything else. We are all happy to listen.

S :wave:
x

If you dont actually starve yourself (which is great that you don't) then I think you're on the safe side and it's something else going on. Well, it's okay to be organized and yeah that is one of the signs of the personality of an anorexic; but maybe it's just a self-esteem issue. I think all women have some sort of distorted body image, even if it's really small.....no one's 100% satisfied with their bodies. I hope you don't get sucked into the world of an eating disorder. I'm here if you want to talk.

As far as the obsessive thinking and having a horrible body image...this is what i think. I have suffered from an ED for years!!!!!!!!!!! Now, just the constant dieting, obsession, body image, count calories, hate myself. I also suffer from bipolar and OCD. Obsessive compulsive disorder, to me, is like the phycological aspects of this too! I went through treatment at 24, im 33 now, and have suffered almost my entire life! My whole self worth and being.......is to be thin! Im not sure if this ever goes away!!! I asked that ? once on these boards and no one replied! As far as not having an actual issue with food.....but you obsess.......sounds like OCD. I could be totally wrong, but wanted to share my story, cuz i have just about every flippin problem out there. :wave: