Am I Anorexic? Or do I Have An Eating Disorder?

Question

A couple of friends have said they are worried about how little I eat, and how thin I'm getting. I've been diagnosed with anorexia, but I don't believe the doctor, I think he's lying to me to make me eat more.

My eating patterns : I don't eat breakfast, or lunch. I eat a small amount of dinner which I usually purge in one way or another.

My height : 176 cm tall
My weight: 51.8 kg.

Now, this whole not eating thing never started because I wanted to lose weight. I lost my appetite, stopped eating, lost weight, and then realised how thin I got, and wanted to go furhter.

Lately I have noticed the top layers of my nails peeling off, and clumps of hair falling out. My eyes are bloodshot all the time, and I'm constantly cold...it hurts to sit down.

Yet, I'm still not thin enough.

What is wrong with me?

Answer 1

Sounds like you have anorexia.

Anorexia is a serious and potentially life threatening eating disorder. The disease has one of the highest death rates among psychological disorders. Though the exact cause is unknown, health experts believe a number of factors including emotional, physical and behavioral contribute to the disorder. When left untreated, anorexia can lead to permanent physical disabilities.

There are many signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa, the most common of which are as follows:

1. Avoidance of food at all costs.

2. Person who denies feeling hungry even though they seldom eat.

3. Development of rituals surrounding food that enable a person to eat relatively little food. This may include eating in secrecy or re-arranging the food on one’s plate.

4. Dramatic weight loss that occurs over a relatively short period of time and is not associated with an illness.

5. Preoccupation with one’s physical appearance, weight and food.

6. Person feels overweight even though they appear normal or underweight.

7. Individual has self identity that evolves around their body image or weight.

8. lack of willingness to eat out with others or engage in social activities that might involve eating.

there are numerous symptoms other than the primary signs you can watch out for:

1. Light downy hair growth on face.

2. Amenorrhea.

3. Dry hair and nails or hair loss.

4. Decreased immunity or frequent colds or other illnesses that seem to linger over time.

5. Person is overly sensitive to cold.

6. Frequent fatigue or weakness.

7. Difficulty focusing on anything other than one’s weight or body image.

8. Increasing reluctance to engage in social activities.

9. Noticeable depression, anxiety or expressions of guilt or sadness.

if you feel you might have an eating disorder yourself, it is vital that you seek out professional assistance as soon as possible.

Anorexia nervosa can be a life threatening condition, or can lead to permanent physical disability if not treated early on. The best care will include a combination of professional and personal support and guidance that will address any underlying emotional and behavioral factors contributing to the disease.

Answer 2

As a recovering anorexic, even I can't give you a definite answer. It is such a personal thing and every single person suffering from anorexia has their own individual problems.Whilst I was in an eating disorder unit I met people who could be absolutely fine with eating chocolate whilst they couldn't even touch crisps, others who would only eat vegetables, some who would only eat liquids (e.g soups or smoothies), and even one person who only ever ate chicken nuggets and nothing else. Although, as a generalisation, mostly everyone I met used to live off either black coffee or diet drinks (e.g diet coke etc.), low calorie foods that were also filling such as apples, celery, salads. It isn't just a question about what you eat, but also when and where. I think most anorexics tend to have a problem with carbs from what I picked up on. Any starchy foods such as pasta, bread etc. Sandwiches were the one problem that everyone I met had encountered... they were avoided at all costs. I hope I've helped a little bit, also well done for choosing anorexia, it is a very serious problem that I think a lot of people are mis-informed about.

Answer 3

Yes, you do have a problem. Your body is not getting enough nutrition. This is resulting in a few, temporary problems, such as hair, nails and body deteriorating, and a general feeling of anxiety. The more anxious you get, the less able you are to make good decisions.

How very frightening this situation sounds! I am sure the people around you are very worried. You must also be quite anxious about it. I feel for you.

I'm guessing that those who love you are telling you to stop what you're doing, or that you are thin enough.

I can't tell you if you are thin enough, or too thin, or too fat. Your body however is telling you that you are not getting enough nutrition.

So lets forget about whether you are too thin, not thin enough. Lets focus on the fact that you are miserable and clearly in some physical discomfort. You don't deserve to be this miserable. You deserve a happy, healthy, stress free life.

Obsession over weight loss and weight gain usually result from other problems in life. Thank goodness these problems can be solved, and are solved every day.

You need to seek medical help. If you don't trust your current doctor, keep looking around until you find one you do trust. It may take 10 doctors to find the right one - which is the one who you want to listen to, and take advice from - but surely your life is worth it.

A good doctor will discuss with you why you want to go further into weight loss, and why you don't think you are thin enough. He or she will tackle more than just the weight loss or the weight gain.

BE WARNED ... If your doctor made you feel guilty, or if anyone makes you feel guilty for who you are or what you are doing, leave them. You deserve to be loved, and you only need people in your life who love you. Your life is worth more than that.

Answer 4

I see all the previous questions you have asked are all to do with weight issues. First of all, I think you know you have a serious problem with anorexia, please get professional help and DO NOT listen to some of the answers on here telling you to go on a diet.
I don't mean to sound harsh, but if you don't get help then this illness will take your life away.
Take a photo of yourself, then once you have the photo in your hands go and have a look on the Internet, you can start by typing in Lena Zavaroni, she was a singer many years ago and lost her life because she didn't eat. compare your photo to hers and see if there is a resemblance, then you could take a look at Karen Carpenter, both young women had anorexia, with EVERYTHING to live for. I am sure it is very difficult for you, do seek help, I promise it won't be easy and it is probably hurting your friends and family watching you this way, if they have told you you are thin, then you are.These are the people that love and care about you. Let them help you.
the very best of luck.


ps.. pawstimes... before you answer questions which you think maybe a joke, why not take the time to read this young girls previous questions, you can then clearly see, ALL her questions are to do with weight issues. she is obviously asking for help, I think its you that should be ashamed for being a little mean.

Answer 5

Well you didn't believe the doctor so there is no reason why you should believe the rest of us but you are anorexic. Before you can begin to recover you need to accept that you are suffering from the illness. This is the cause of you nails peeling and hair falling out. You are starving yourself to death.

Unfortunately nobody can make you accept your illness or force you to get better. You have to do that yourself. Sadly some people never do. Let's hope you're not one of them, it's an extremely serious illness.

You probably look in the mirror and see a fat person. I understand that, it happens to me too. I now know that the image I see is in my imagination. I don't trust my own perception of my weight as a guide any more I know for my height 1.65 cm I should weigh around 65 kilos. I know if my clothes still fit me I can't be gaining weight. At your height if you weight 70 kilos you'd still be a bit too thin.

I'm not saying this to make you eat more. I don't even know you so there is no reason for me to do that. I'm just answering your question. You have anorexia for sure and if you don't want to die you need to accept that and start recovering.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

you are ill but in reality you know that. You won't accept any answer you read here telling you that you need help because that is not what you want to hear, however that is the truth. Take a real hard look at yourself thin is not attractive, nor is peeling nails or bloodshot eyes. the only answer you will be happy with is that you are thin and attractive but you won't find it here. I hope you have a life

Answer 7

You've got to be kidding me, if you don't believe the doctor, what makes you think you'll believe a bunch of strangers, who by the way, do not have medical licenses(at least the majority).

You are Eating disordered, accept it now, get yourself into treatment, whether that's inpatient, or outpatient, and try your best to get healthy.

People want to lose weight, to be healthy, and have a better self image. That should be the reasons. But you're not healthy, you're disordered. And you still have a ridiculous self image, so do yourself and your family a favor, save yourself the pain, and recover now, instead of spending a lifetime fighting yourself and others about it.

Answer 8

doesnt sound like ur eating enough and you lack iron,zinc,protein etc cos of ur symptoms,so take a multivitamin,take iron tablets and zinc from the pharmacy and try to eat a bit more like fruit after your meals and eat when you feel like it,but if u now have no appitite,force urself.i no its horrible,but if the doctors get hold of you they could take you away from your family and control you, which is just the worst feeling. if you eat these things and take the vitamins, your hair and nails will grow nice again and your immune system will be getting enough and you'll get the right weight for your height and structure.u will never be fat or even chubby now,but just healthy.the 1st symptom of anorexia is denying you have it,you may not realise.i talk from experiance and now im fine,and can eat what i want and not put anything on. but if i had left it any longer i wouldnt have been able to eat an apple without gaining weight. so get sorted now! take care babe

Answer 9

Hey. Anorexia doesn't usually start because you want to be thin just for the looks of it. This is becoming a reason these days because of the weight-obsessed culture going on in the media, but normally anorexia begins as a control issue. I had anorexia, well, I guess I have it as people say you're always recovering, never cured. Don't let people judge you harshly, especially if they've never gone through it, all they will do is bring your self-esteem down lower. You need to talk to your doctor, he's not lying to you, he took the hypocratic oath remember, he really wants to help you. You need to think back to when you lost your appetite, maybe there were a lot of things in your life, or just one thing, that was doing your head in, you were sick of not being in control of it. I know it will seem like I'm talking rubbish, that's what I thought too when people kept trying to help me. But if you start thinking, there will probably be something. Anorexia usually begins when your life seems out of control and eating is the one thing you can control. With me, I thought if I controlled that then everything would fall into place once I looked perfect. But, I never looked perfect, it never happens. Please get back to your doctor. I finally accepted help, but only got back to a just functioning weight. Luckily, I then got pregnant, and that saved my life. You need something to focus on. Just think like this, if you don't eat you will lose your chance to have kids, you will lose your memory, and worst scenario, you will die. People really do. Hang in there, please x.

Answer 10

Two things:
Firstly, what would a doctor gain by lying to you? Nothing. He or she is by the sounds of things, just giving some much needed advice.
Secondly, eat sensibly and healthily. Not eating will just make you feel ill. There is nothing wrong with you as long as you eat sensibly, get regular exercise and do the things you enjoy. Pamper yourself once in a while too!

If it is any consolation, when I was yonger I was constantly verbally and physically bullied about my short stature and different skin colour - this used to get me down until I found the strength to rise above it, I ate sensibly and exercised regularly and enjoyed doing the things I liked most.

Look after yourself stay safe, be healthy and good :-)

Answer 11

The doctor is not lying to you. Think for a minute; what would his motive be? Why would it make any difference to him whether you ate more or not? Especially if you didn't have anorexia. The doctor is neutral, he's not emotionally involved with you. He cares because its his job to make people healthy. You are not healthy, physically or emotionally. You need a realistic picture of what a healthy weight is for you. Take advantage of the resources your doctor gives you. Eat what you are told is what is a healthy diet for you, even if you think its a lot. Go to counseling. Who do you want to be thin for? Nobody else thinks it looks good. And take it from me- I lost my hair from illness. That isn't pretty either. It not only doesn't look healthy, but it clogs the drain and gums up the vaccuum. Peeling nails? Not pretty.