I have an eating problem?

Question

At the beginnig of 2005 I was anorexic. I would go days without eating, even though I knew I should eat.Then slowly, with the help of my friends and my mom, I got better. Then, at the beginning of this year, I started having problems again. I would go days eating nothing but SlimFast bars and half a meal. Again, with my friends help, I got better again. Lately I have had days where I think I am fat, even though deep inside I realize I am not. I wouldn't eat much on those days. I don't want to be anorexic again. And I can't go to a clinic or rehabitalization center because we don't have much money and it's not that serious, but still. I pray. But what should I do?

By the way, I am a dancer, so I have an athletic body. I have hips too, so I'm not a little stick, which I actually am grateful for. I have boobs, and I have a butt, and I have muscular thighs.

So I know I'm not really fat, deep down, but I can't help but feel that way.

Thank you.

I am 15, BTW.

Answer 1

Just keep telling yourself that you have a body that a lot of people would kill for. And when you think about not eating again, think about your friends and family who you are hurting. My friend had that problem, luckily it didn't get too serious, so i jsut kept telling her that she has a wonderful body and soon she was thinking it herself.

Answer 2

Put yourself on a healthy eating schedule, that includes real food (fruit, meat veges, rice, etc.), and stick to it. If you can't create a eating plan, and stick to it within 2 days days of reading this, then get some help by looking for free resources (online eating disorder groups, public health clinic, school clinic, etc.). I agree with a former responder here, that being anorexic is similar to being an alcoholic in that it will probably always be a monkey trying to climb on your back and you have to keep kicking it off.

Answer 3

it sux being a women doesnt it...i think that in every womans mind, a part of them thinks they are fat. its our self esteme, and the way we view our bodies. we are the jelouse type ...the kind where we compair our bodies to other females. just because someone might be a little thiner than you are, doesnt mean that you are fat. just take a look at yourself, and ask, do i fit in the mirror that i am looking it, do i fit in doorways, when i sit down on a chair, does my body hang over the edge...if all your answers are no...your not fat, your prolly going through a teenage phase, it may feel like everything is a competition when it comes to looks and appearance and other females. everybody is different and your body is still going through changes, you may gain a little and loose a little, but either way, if you stay fit, get daily exercise and manage a daily diet, you should be fine and dont worry about getting fat, as long as you keep to those things. i hope this helps in the way you think about yourself...we are all beautiful human beings, if you got the bod, dont put it down....TAKE IT FOR GRANTED!!! because there are some people out there who are prolly jelouse of you...just think about it..k?

Answer 4

Don't say it is not serious, because that's what I thought but then I revealed my eating disorders to my parents and they must have thought the complete opposite of not serious. However, if money would be a probably, I would definitely try to join a group on-line that can support you. Yahoo! Answers will not help tremendously, but some websites such as facetheissue.com (click, share your story) can really help you to make better choices, in more areas than you can imagine, including anorexia. Back to the serious thing, I thought we had money problems, and we do, but my parents put me in therapy with a cheap therapist who is probably just as good as the expensive psychiatrists, and I got help. It also helps to believe in something, say God or some fake idol. Having something to live for can encourage you to live life healthier. I wish you the best of luck with anorexia and your dancing career.

Answer 5

According to the reading I have done regarding hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), the brain, when it senses that blood sugar is low, will do sometimes strange things to get the blood sugar (glucose) out of storage and into the blood stream. Anxiety about anything, including weight, can cause an adrenaline spurt, which helps relieve low blood sugar.

Suggestion? Eating a diet that stresses protein (poultry and fish are best, unless you are a vegetarian and then soy is very good), low glycemic carbohydrates (look up a glycemic index) and good fat (olive oil for cooking, almonds or peanuts for snacking), may ease your anxiety about your weight on two levels. It is a very low caloric, low sugar diet, but if you eat this 3 times a day, and do about 1/3 as a snack, your blood sugar will level out, letting your brain relax and not make you anxious.

Chronic low blood sugar can also cause self-esteem problems, anger management problems and a whole bunch of other physical and mental nasties. You may want to check out the symptoms link on www.hufa.org, and see how you check out.

Answer 6

ok first thing- get some professional help. there are free and low cost counseling services out there. and your comment about it being not that serious? it is. you have relapsed twice now. you have a serious medical condition that necessitates you getting professional help. if you are worried about the money- believe, i have been there and done that, call the Dept of Health and Human services in the area that you live in. They should be able to give you some no or lost cost options for getting help. Another option might be to talk to your local clergy. They are great listeners and have more resources available to them to help you.

one of my best firends was both anorexic and builimic for years. she hid things well until one day she cracked to her mom. (she was 17 and a senior at the time.) her parents got her checked into a center. on her physical exam they found out she had burned away most of her esphogus (sp?) and caused permanent damage to her heart, teeth, and reproductive system. she is married now and because of what she did to herself, they are having trouble having kids. bottom line- take care of yourself and get help- any kind of professional help to break this cycle permanently before you do irreversible damage to your body which you will regret down the road.

also maybe try doing research on-line. we all did when my friend was hospitalized so we could try to help her how we could. check out some self- help books on self- image and esteem. join a local support group. i was a dancer for years and was broderline for a long time til i got help. i learned, just like you need to, you have to "love the skin you're in".

Answer 7

Hm...I've never really had that problem but I've known girls who have. First off, how old are you? A lot of teens become anorexic because food is the only thing in their lives they can control. Are your parents reallys strict? Talk to them and tell them you need more freedom. Perhaps take up a new hobby, something you've been interested in, but haven't been able to do. Anything to keep your mind off of food. And most importantly, know that your body is beautiful, and that you dont need to live up to the expectation other people set forth.

Answer 8

It sounds like your eating disorder has been hanging around & is not going away. It's great that you are a dancer & have an athletic body. So, that shows you're dedicated & determined.
You are also aware of your problem, that's the first step in helping change your eating pattern. Keep a journal & keep track of your feelings so, you become aware when you start slipping. Be patient with yourself, you don't have to be perfect.

Answer 9

Being anorexic is just like being an alcoholic..your never cured and you will have this to deal with for the rest of your life but you can do it.You are on the right track when you say that you know you arent fat...i would talk it over with my mom and dad or with another close family memeber.

Answer 10

you are not an anorexic. you are a person with the condition, anorexia.
you admit you have a problem and that's good. now it's time to take charge and do something about it.
focus on the positive about yourself.
find a support group or a licensed therapist.
ask your physician about prescription anti-depressants. you may benefit from them.
keep dancing if you love it- exercise is good, but it might help to find other outlets besides dance that do not focus so much on your body image. are you artistic? do you like to act? do you write? you have intense focus, it seems, but unfortunately, your focus has shifted too much to food. and that's no way to live. i mean, it's just food. you eat it to live, not live to eat or not eat it.

good luck, and feel free to email me at any time at: [e-mail]