What is an eating disorder?

Question

I know of many types of eating disorder, but what I am going threw I am not to sure if it is one or not.. First of all my husband is deployed and I have a 5 years old to tell you a little about me, I have found myself not to eat anymore. I dont think about it dont get ever want to most the time. But when I do eat, its very little, like a yogurt or half a sandwich. I am not one to think I am over weight and I have lost several pants sizes in the last 4 months. I am scared of what this will do to my body and not to sure what to do, if I do try to eat I dont feel good at all. I usually need to lay down or something along those lines.. If there is someone that knows what for me to do please do tell.... thank you.. and please dont mock me it is not going to make it any easier...

Oh yeah and I am not crazy I dont need to see the crazy doctor, I have been doing my daily everything very well, and doing well under the terms I am living

Answer 1

First of all, you're one step ahead because you KNOW something is wrong. Many with eating disorders don't think anything is wrong with what they're doing.

You seem to have a major loss of appetite. A lot of that can just be stress, because you're worried about your husband and you have a little one to look after. But you really do need to eat so that you have the energy to do every day things.

Once you go a little while without eating a lot, your body gets used to that and so you wouldn't be hungry...which you aren't. I recommend you go see a doctor so that you can see if perhaps there is an underlying issue. If not, perhaps see a nutritionist, who can help you get back on the right track.

Best of luck & I wish your family safety.

Answer 2

Please talk to a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, if possible, and asking for a referral to a Dietitian would be a good idea too. You might have an eating disorder, but not necessarily the typical anorexia/bulimia type, since it sounds like your husband being away is making you worry, and you don't mention anything that sounds like a distorted body image.

A doctor could put you on medication to deal with the depression/anxiety and a Dietitian could help you put together a healthy way of eating that you can live with.

I'm little biased, maybe, because my wife and I both work in mental health and she's a Dietitian for a psychiatric hospital. But I do honestly believe that good doctor and a good dietitian could help you. Look for a Licensed/Registered Dietitian (RD/LD), not a "nutritionist" (anybody can say they are a nutritionist).

Answer 3

An eating disorder is anytime you eat too little or too much for your bodies need. Reading your story looks to me that you are in so much pain that your hubby is gone that you may be going into a depression. And in depression, I lost 35 lbs in 2 mths and my stomach was nauseated daily. Please join a support group for deployed families. And if you don't feel like eating soon, it could affect your health and you may need to see a doc.