My mom has an eating disorder and won't let anybody help her...I dunno what to do!?
When the body is in Ketosis subjects often have a "fruity breath" and darkening of urine. It can happen as a result of chronic starvation; it is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It stresses the liver and causes destruction of muscle tissues. Ketogenesis is a type of ketone body and is exhaled as "Acetone," which is what you may be smelling. It amounts to a lack of carbohydrates and can cause blood pH to drop resulting in ketoacidosis-in extreme cases it can be fatal-it smells like nail polish remover, or it can be fruity, but far more potent than in Ketosis. Anorexics actually begin to hate or fear food and eat with their fingers in middle to late stages, that may be why your mom's hiding her food and can't eat in front of people. She will be more afraid to get help (and have to stop her addiction) than she will of starving. She cannot admit she has a problem, she is terrified of being exposed, is in deep denial and will fight hospitalization or any other intervention or comments to her. True Anorexia (like your mom exhibits) is about self-hate and toxic shame; unforgiveness of self or others, and it is very much about dying by starvation. Anorexics feel they have no right to be alive.
How do I approach anorexia recovery if I'm not underweight (meaning I've been restricting my caloric intake drastically for 10+ months and have a terrible relationship with food, but I've never reached a low enough BMI to be considered ill) ?
Hi! Please know that you do not have to have a low BMI to be considered Anorexic or to have an Eating Disorder. There is actually no weight/BMI requirement for diagnosis of these disorders in the most updated diagnostic manual (DSM V).You do have an Eating Disorder and you do need and deserve proper help. I would encourage you to seek out a therapist and make sure that that therapist specializes in the treatment of Eating Disorders. I cannot stress that enough since it can be very detrimental in the long run if you go to a therapist who does not specialize. Treatment of Eating Disorders requires a very specific sensitivity and skill-set, so make sure who you work with specializes.Do not feel that you are not “sick enough.” That idea is actually a manifestion of your Eating Disorder. Please watch this video as I think it’ll help to explain why you feel the way you do and help push you in the right direction.I hope you get the help you need!
Anorexia Recovery water retention?
Hello. I've been in anorexia recovery for about a month now, and these passed few days my legs have felt really tight when i walk. Also when i walk, it feels reaaally heavy, and my legs look bigger. This all happened over the course of 1/2 days. Is this water retention? And how long will this last? Finally, what should i do to be less uncomfortable? P.s- I don't have a doctor. I'm choosing to do recovery by myself, with the support of my family.
Should I stop seeing my psychiatrist?
It sounds like you're making excuses to avoid the fact that you probably do need help. That's not an accusation but it's something that I've done plenty and it's really a pretty common thing to do. But really, try to not think like that, or even if you do, push it out of your mind- it's counterproductive and will get in the way of you feeling better. Don't ever think you're "useless" or "beyond help". I've been there. It's not healthy, trust me, you may not think it now but you have the right to be comfortable in your own skin. Don't be your own enemy, there's enough to deal with without not being okay with yourself. Maybe you need to find someone else. A psychiatrist is just there to prescribe meds. I went through a few psychiatrists and a few therapists before I found someone who actually seems like they care and who feels right. I'm currently seeing a therapist who is helping me more than I thought anyone would be able to, and I'm so glad I stuck with looking even though I didn't feel like I care. This stuff takes time and just because one person doesn't work doesn't mean no one will. Don't be afraid to explore options. You're asking, which probably means you're concerned... I'd say, find someone you work well with and keep trying. It won't happen overnight, but in the long run, things WILL get better if you want them to. Working through your problems is infinitely better than trying to pretend they don't exist. Good luck! It can be hard sometimes, but even if you don't feel like anything matters, do whatever you can to not abandon your own mind.