Faintness spells, even after recovering from anorexia?
I am 20 years old, and have recovered from anorexia. I was anorexic a year ago and it lasted for almost 8 months. I had a few faintness spells, where I would begin to black out, and feel extremely light-headed and weak, but NEVER actually passed out. I went to ER a few times because of this, but all of my blood work came out normal. Now, fully recovered, and at a healthy weight, I still have these faintness feelings. I never black out, but i feel very light headed and weak, and nervous. Then I think to myself that I may have a health problem because of my anorexic past, and it makes the spell worse. I wonder if it is anxiety, as I have a history of it. But I want to see if anyone else has felt this way after recovering, and if they found out what it was from?
thanks
The following user gives a hug of support to Free03: Phoenix (06-27-2012)
Re: Faintness spells, even after recovering from anorexia?
I am still recovering and still underweight but I too get these sensations. Does it happen when you stand up after having been sat down for a while or are they out of the blue? Also, whilst my eating disorder (not otherwise diagnosed) was at its worst I too began to have panick/anxiety attacks. In these I became very tearful and my breathing wheazy. I don't know if either of these things are relevant to you but if they are then yes your body may still be resetting itself. I would see a doctor just to check that there's not something wrong. Remeber that people who havn't suffered eating disorders also get light headed occassionally too so it may be something personal to you totally un-anorexic related
Re: Faintness spells, even after recovering from anorexia?
Hi, I suggest you go to a doctor and a councilor. I am 21 and am 'recovered' from anorexia. It has taken me two years to get over my problems which accrued over 6 years...4 of those years I was anorexic. It is long process and counciling helped me a great deal.
If you are at college/uni they should be able to provide you with a councilor for free. If not, talk to your doctor.
Re: Faintness spells, even after recovering from anorexia?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee2012
Hi, I suggest you go to a doctor and a councilor. I am 21 and am 'recovered' from anorexia. It has taken me two years to get over my problems which accrued over 6 years...4 of those years I was anorexic. It is long process and counciling helped me a great deal.
If you are at college/uni they should be able to provide you with a councilor for free. If not, talk to your doctor.
@Dee2012, just wondering how counselling helped you? I am suffering from anorexia and depression and have been on medication since January and been in therapy for three months and I am not to experience any benefit from the therapy.
Bee
Re: Faintness spells, even after recovering from anorexia?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Free03
I am 20 years old, and have recovered from anorexia. I was anorexic a year ago and it lasted for almost 8 months. I had a few faintness spells, where I would begin to black out, and feel extremely light-headed and weak, but NEVER actually passed out. I went to ER a few times because of this, but all of my blood work came out normal. Now, fully recovered, and at a healthy weight, I still have these faintness feelings. I never black out, but i feel very light headed and weak, and nervous. Then I think to myself that I may have a health problem because of my anorexic past, and it makes the spell worse. I wonder if it is anxiety, as I have a history of it. But I want to see if anyone else has felt this way after recovering, and if they found out what it was from?
thanks
@Free03,
I am in a similar situation as you - I'm 22 years old and am in therapy for anroexia and depression. But even though I'm regained the majority of my weight back, I constantly feel weak, lethargic, tired, dizzy and/or lightheaded. My parents believe it is due to not eating enough and my GP agrees with this. What do you believe yours is due to?
Re: Faintness spells, even after recovering from anorexia?
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachlove12
@Dee2012, just wondering how counselling helped you? I am suffering from anorexia and depression and have been on medication since January and been in therapy for three months and I am not to experience any benefit from the therapy.
Bee
How did councilling help me? Well it allowed me to voice how i felt and made me feel like I wasn't stupid. The reason I starved myself was because I felt I didn't deserve food because everyone hated me. I nearly had a break down and went on antidepressants for 1 1/2 years (with help from my councillor) and I eventually came off them on my own! I wouldn't have done that without talking to someone on a weekly or bi-weekly basis when I felt I couldn't cope.
It was a safety net and a huge help, lifted a weight off my shoulders so I started to eat. I learned not to punish myself.
Thats how it helped me. Go to a councillor. No one person can deal with it on their own, support is a nessecity to recover and family don't have to be part of that. It is literally up to you and how YOU want to do it. Step by step.
so I started to eat. I learned not to punish myself. 
