Eating Disorder?

Question

I want to ask people a question, would you consider this an eating disorder? She tries not to eat at all during the day; however its not becuase she thinks shes fat, she just does it. What does this mean? Is there something Psychologically wrong with the person? Does skipping meals daily even if it isnt to loose weight considered an eating disorder? How would you go about fixing this problem? IS the only thing you can do take the child to a Psychologists or something?

Answer 1

most people with eating disorders try to hide it so its very doubtful that shes not skipping meals to lose weight. I think u should look at these symptoms and if she is showing signs then take her to a therapist:

Anorexia/Bulimia


Dramatic weight loss in a relatively short period of time.
Wearing big or baggy clothes or dressing in layers to hide body shape and/or weight loss.
Obsession with weight and complaining of weight problems (even if "average" weight or thin).
Obsession with calories and fat content of foods.
Obsession with continuous exercise.
Frequent trips to the bathroom immediately following meals (sometimes accompanied with water running in the bathroom for a long period of time to hide the sound of vomiting).
Visible food restriction and self-starvation.
Visible bingeing and/or purging.
Use or hiding use of diet pills, laxatives, ipecac syrup (can cause immediate death!) or enemas.
Isolation. Fear of eating around and with others.
Unusual Food rituals such as shifting the food around on the plate to look eaten; cutting food into tiny pieces; making sure the fork avoids contact with the lips (using teeth to scrap food off the fork or spoon); chewing food and spitting it out, but not swallowing; dropping food into napkin on lap to later throw away.
Hiding food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to avoid eating (Anorexia) or to eat at a later time (Bulimia).
Flushing uneaten food down the toilet (can cause sewage problems).
Vague or secretive eating patterns.
Keeping a "food diary" or lists that consists of food and/or behaviors (ie., purging, restricting, calories consumed, exercise, etc.)
Pre-occupied thoughts of food, weight and cooking.
Visiting websites that promote unhealthy ways to lose weight.
Reading books about weight loss and eating disorders.
Self-defeating statements after food consumption.
Hair loss. Pale or "grey" appearance to the skin.
Dizziness and headaches.
Frequent soar throats and/or swollen glands.
Low self-esteem. Feeling worthless. Often putting themself down and complaining of being "too stupid" or "too fat" and saying they don't matter. Need for acceptance and approval from others.
Complaints of often feeling cold.
Low blood pressure.
Loss of menstrual cycle.
Constipation or incontinence.
Bruised or calluses knuckles; bloodshot or bleeding in the eyes; light bruising under the eyes and on the cheeks.
Perfectionistic personality.
Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.
Mood swings. Depression. Fatigue.
Insomnia. Poor sleeping habits



Compulsive Overeating/Binge Eating Disorder


Fear of not being able to control eating, and while eating, not being able to stop.
Isolation. Fear of eating around and with others.
Chronic dieting on a variety of popular diet plans.
Holding the belief that life will be better if they can lose weight.
hiding food in strange places (closets, cabinets, suitcases, under the bed) to eat at a later time.
Vague or secretive eating patterns.
Self-defeating statements after food consumption.
Blames failure in social and professional community on weight.
Holding the belief that food is their only friend.
Frequently out of breath after relatively light activities.
Excessive sweating and shortness of breath.
High blood pressure and/or cholesterol.
Leg and joint pain.
Weight gain.
Decreased mobility due to weight gain.
Loss of sexual desire or promiscuous relations.
Mood swings. Depression. Fatigue.
Insomnia. Poor Sleeping Habits.

Answer 2

It could be. Skipping meals makes your body think that it's being starved, and therefore it goes into overdrive trying to hang on to calories and fat to survive, which more often than not causes weight gain which can be harmful to ones health. The child should be taken to a child phychologist along with a pediatric dietitian.Take her in asap this could develop into a full blown eating disorder if it isn't handled soon. Good luck! =)

Answer 3

i don't know much about your situation, but i read this article once about a girl that stopped eating after the death of her big brother. turns out that deep down, she was eating less because she felt selfish to still be able to enjoy food and he couldn't. she began with only eating half her plate, as if to "save" the other half for him, and finally dwindled down to not eating anything. i say this to say that maybe there is something going on with the person you are worried about, something in her mind. not eating is about keeping control, and that control doesn't always have to be about your body. i imagine it could be anything. talk to her and ask her why she doesn't eat. and by all means, yes, please get her some help from a doc or therapist, whatever she needs. good luck.

Answer 4

Are you the parent?? You should be worried and take her to a specialist, because that is a clear sign of an eating disorder and if she is not fat that doesn't mean she doesn't secretly thinks that she is and tells you the oposite to not worry you, you should take this seriously and do something about it.

Answer 5

I don't think so... I rarely eat anything before 5 pm, so I can understand. It's not like I'm trying not to eat, I'm just not hungry during the day. Best wishes

Answer 6

Anorexia isn't always because the person wants to be thin - it's a control issue. Sometimes they only thing in their life they can control is food.

Answer 7

it sounds as if she doesnt want to eat so maybe shes not hungry you might want to take her to a psychologist but i think it really depends on how much she eats a day

Answer 8

Knowing the age, height and weight of the child would help.
Children need balanced diets.
Ask your MD. to help out.

Answer 9

she needs to consult a doctor before it become worse