Hey, i always read this message boards, and yes, i am like so many people wondering if i have a problem. I don't really know if i have an eating disorder. I mean i do on occasion throw up my food, and i know that is bulemic like, but its not really on a daily basis, and i do take laxatives also, on a occasion when i have them. Also, i try to restrict alot, like 500 cals a day, but i always and i mean ALWAYS slip. So, i know this seems like a no-brainer, but i have no symptoms of an anorexic or bulemic, like health or physical wise, and i have not by any means lost a drastic amount of weight, in fact, my weight is so unpredictable sometimes i gain up to like 5 pounds, and i have only lost up to 10. I am very active, and my energy level has not really dropped at all. So, in other words, i am just very confused...

Hi Jdub22. You do not need to look anorexic to be anorexic. You have so many of the signs or behaviors of an eating disorder-throwing up, laxative use, calorie restriction. Be very careful. I started out similar to you and at my worst I weighed under 90 pounds. (I am 5'5" so that's pretty skinny). All of the things you are doing are very harmful to your body. Also if you are very active, your body needs the extra nutrition.

first stop saying "like" so much. ok?
next quit vomiting because it erodes the emanel off your teeth. you think fat is ugly? try going toothless in a few years. and you know you have a problem with your eating or lack there of or you wouldn't be here. you should still be fine with 1200 cals a day. alot more healthy and try a vitamin every day for safety sake.


kat

first stop saying "like" so much. ok?
next quit vomiting because it erodes the emanel off your teeth. you think fat is ugly? try going toothless in a few years. and you know you have a problem with your eating or lack there of or you wouldn't be here. you should still be fine with 1200 cals a day. alot more healthy and try a vitamin every day for safety sake.


kat

Hey!
I thought I better reply to this since some of your other replies looked rather harsh! Anyway..wow! Except for the fact that I've never made myself throw up, I am the EXACT same as you. I've done everything else with about the same frequency you have.

I have recently decided that I have a problem. I've always tried to tell myself (like you have) that I don't but here's the thing: If I don't have a problem then why am I always worried about the health concerns of this 'non-problem'? Why do I always have to wonder "Is this the time the laxatives will cause some irreversible bowel problem?" or "Is this the time I have an early heart attack from a few days of serious restricting?" If there was no problem, I wouldn't have to ask myself these questions.

I hope you realize the same and get the help you deserve for this.

Snow Angel

Jdub22,
I can understand you being confused, but saying "i have no symptoms of an anorexic or bulemic" is incorrect...you ARE showing symptoms. Restricting your calorie intake to 500/day is not "normal"; neither is vomiting or using laxatives to lose weight, however infrequent it may be. You can kick this budding eating disorder before it really grabs you, please try. Maci is right, you don't need to look the part to play it.

It's not easy to correct a behaviour you are not aware of. So, YOU are on the right track. You know there is something wrong!

First I would continue to learn more about the different things you are doing and their consequences. Then I would find out why I was feeling like I needed to do this. Life if full of choices, and you have chosen some of the less travelled roads for reasons only you will know why.

It's true that your teeth and esophagus will suffer from your purging. Yes it's true that a 500 cal diet will cause ireversible harm to your basic systems if maintained over time. Yes it's true that your digestive system will remember you after you have abused laxatives. But, this should not be the main reason for you to STOP! You need to know why and when it started and how you can stay away from these situations in the future.

The first thing you should look at is, there is something you are not happy with in your life. And you have chosen an unusual option from the big list available to deal with it.
Do you feel pressure from someone!

The best thing you can do is to find out where the cause is. If your boyfriend or girlfriend makes you feel bad. Deal with the problem at the source. Don't expect other people to change, if they don't know what and why it's wrong. If you want something from someone, the best way is to ask them directly. Don't beat around the bush. Why use morse code if you can talk. In an emergency you call for help and you tell them clearly and quickly what and who is wrong, you don't use smoke signals -it takes too long to understand.

Usually talking to someone you trust (parent, teacher, coach, big brother or sister --not boyfriend or girl friend!)is the best way to vent your concerns and get some feedback on the options you have chosen. Nothing is written in stone. You can change anything you want. Sometimes it helps me to say to myself "what would I tell my son or daughter if they were in your situation"

Well, what advice would you give yourself?


Let me know how good your advice was.