What is it like to recover from an eating disorder?
In my personal experience, having allowed my eating disorder to take grip for many years before I did battle with it, recovery was a long, slow and painful process. As I started eating I went through a period of being physically unwell - (unintentionally) throwing up almost everything I ate and feeling unable to get out of bed with horrible flu like symptoms. I think perhaps my body just wasn't used to food. And when my weight did begin to increase I was terrified of the way my body started to look - despite being still physically underweight, my body looked obese and hideous to me. As my weight increased my brain started to function again and went into overdrive - memories which had been locked up for a long time began to plague me in the form of night terrors for many months. It was a very,very hard time which I could not have made it through without the amazing support I had. The other thing I discovered was that (even many years on) I never got to a point where I felt like I was 100% recovered and could leave my eating disorder behind. I found that every day I had to wake up and make a positive decision to eat healthily. To this day I have to be in control of my diet by making sure I eat three meals a day without fail. No matter what is going on in my life at that moment, I must eat a meal or something like one. I fear that if I don't I might lose control - much like an alcoholic can't have a single glass of wine... Above all though, recovery is hugely empowering. Suffering from an eating disorder is like being a prisoner and recovery made me discover the world afresh and appreciate all the amazing things I could be and do. It made me appreciate my life and want to seize every opportunity with both hands. So in short - recovery is hard, but it's totally worth it!
Do I have binge eating disorder?
it might be. you'll have to get a few tests and be asked a few certain questions by a doctor. no one can diagnose an eating disorder that's not qualified and if you don't take a few tests. if you want to get better, you'll just have to see a doctor. if you're still in school, you can see the nurse if you want it to be a little more private. i know it's hard to do, but it'll be worth it. good luck. :)
How long can an eating disorder take to develop?
Don't worry, this isn't one of those "i want an eating disorder" questions at all. But my main question is, can it take a length of time for an eating disorder to develop? For instance, is it sometimes the case that somebody over a year or more displays many eating-disordered behaviours over amounts of time but never loses more than about half a stone, and ends up going back to almost normal eating even though the thoughts are still there? If this person gains weight overall but after suicide attempts starts these behaviours in more force, is it likely that they'll develop an eating disorder or more likely that they won't and they'll just go back to normal again? Overall, how does an eating disorder often start and how long can it take to really become an eating disorder? Thank you for any answers.
I think my girlfriend has an eating disorder, what do I do?
there is some hope1 for onr, she weights 110lbs.I do not know her height; and i do not know what eating disorder you assume she has. Starving herself and getting down to the weight 110lbs and you are afraid she is in danger, only makes me assume she was much heavier in the last 6 months. She is in trouble if she has lost more than 40 -60 lbs in that time period; considering her height. Eating disorders are very complex and those that have them struggle to a point nor you or I have ever been through. my daughter went through all this; pretty bad, although allot more besides starving herself went along with it..Hopfully,she has not started this, as in purging her food, binging,eating allot more than we could stand to eat. they either keep it down, thow it up un-purposley,or purposley, they also tend to cut themselves "self-harm" not sucidal,but this is how many deal with their struggle. The amount of weight they lose is fast and very unhealthy, that is why 110 lbs. is not that scary to me. my daughter lost 60 lbs.while visiting her father for 6 months and was affected by all of the above. The most important thing for you to do is DO NOT constantly talk about her weight. Not often but sometimes she may be seeking your attention. BE CAREFUL! With or without an eating disorder it is VERY damaging to ask her on a daily basis about her eating. If you stop talking about it "keeping this in mind" and show her all the good times she can have in life and showing her you care is a good approach. When she brings up weight, change the subject to something else,mention positive things that will make her smile. You did the right thing by telling her parents, now you know what to look for, if you find her eating behavior is out of control, do not go to her, go to someone else, a school counsler, ect..they can find out what is really going on. They will not tell her it was you, this is another reason to stop hounding her, she will not know it was you. She needs to be able to tell you what is going on. DO NOT get scared, make a journal with dates so when you present this to a professional, they have to have her checked for malnutrition. Hang in ther, PLEASE, be careful, if she feels u do not have her support, she will leave you since the ED is much more important! heidmar1@yahoo.com
Missed period? anorexia?
Generally it takes about three to seven months to lose your period due to an eating disorder, depending on the person. For me it took three, but for many it takes longer than that. Don't think that you have an eating disorder just because you haven't eaten much this month. Like you said, it was caused by stress. An eating disorder isn't something that can develop within a few weeks or a month. It's a gradual sort of thing. Also, your period is most likely delayed because of the stress. Stress is definitely a big factor in your period. Try to relax a bit :) It can also be caused if you are too active, or if you started your period within the last three years. It may just be irregular. Email me if you're still worried :) Sunshine xoxo
What type of emotional disorder do I have?
I can't control my emotions. Whenever i'm at home, whenever I'm in a bad mood.. It shows. A LOT. But at school, people never know i'm upset. I don't let it show. I forget about it. I put it in the back of my mind.. But at home, It's all I can think about. When I'm in public, i'm often extremely happy. People think it's kinda weird because i'm always "happy" I feel like I may be bipolar, because I often slip into a depressive mood and want to die and have lack of interest in everything. But then the next day, i'm back to happy. Then depressed. Then Happy. ETC.. I have hobbies. I play sports. So it's not like I have too much time on my hands.. But what could this be? It's definetly not normal.. Should I see a doctor? i'm also 14..