OCD and Anorexia - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

applecheek · 11-19-2006, 01:40 PM

I was just wondering if OCD is common along with Anorexia. I have impulsions that are directly connected with my anorexia behaviors---like with food and exercise. I don't want to get into the specifics of my behaviors, but I tend to be an impulsive grocery shopper (making sure I get my "special" or "safe" foods) and also I am obsessive with my exercise. I am ashamed to admit it, but I feel so alone.

I am also an extreme perfectionist. I have to have things "just my way". And I am stuck in the same routines (from eating the same things to cleaning my house on certain days). I am getting so tired of it! I have tried to not act on my impulsions...but then I just end up freaking out and my anxiety shoots out the roof! I have talked to my therapist about this...but nothing seems to help.

Does anyone else have a similar problem? How can I stop this maddness?! I think that if I could get a grip on this...then my recovery would be alot better. I just feel so stuck right now. I want to live a normal life. I don't want my stupid OCD/Eating Disorder crap to control me anymore! Thanks for reading! I hope that everyone is doing well.

k_2005 · 11-19-2006, 01:56 PM

YES! It is fairly common for anorexia to have an OCD component as well. It often is expressed through obsessing over food intake--numbers, eating schedules, etc--and compulsive exercising. I do not know how you feel about medication, but OCD responds well to drugs, which may be beneficial for you. They worked for me anyways. Hope that helps! Take care.

case1 · 11-19-2006, 08:56 PM

k2005, like wht kind of medicines because i have the same problem as you guys. i have to clean my house every tuesday, wash my sheets on wednesday, clean out my refigerator every week, etc. i have very complex ocd thought, i guess i never thought ed and ocd went together, very interesting. i guess it boils down to control issues, that's what it seems like to me. how do we break free from all of this?? all these mental issues are ruling our lives, yuck!!!

Emrell · 11-19-2006, 09:50 PM

My best friend has OCD, but she's not on medication for it. However, she's sooo skinny (me = jealous lol) and she's the slowest eater I have ever seen, plus I've studied her "funny little eating habits" and I would swear she is anorexic cuz she barely eats anything. She'll order a ton of stuff from a fast food place when we're out, like for example she'll order 5 piece nuggets, a large coke, and large fries. She'll eat like 3 nuggets and half the fries, and never finish her drink.

daftthing · 11-20-2006, 04:09 AM

They do usually go hand in hand. I've had OCD since I was 11 and an ED since I was 14. I know so many other people online who have both an ED and OCD.