if i try to starve myself but don't have the self control is that still considered an eating disorder?

Question

i'm 5'5" and about 100 pounds or a little under, and if i look that up on a bmi calculator then it says that i'm underweight, but the thing is is that i still want to lose weight even though i know i'm not fat or anything but i really want to be skinnier anyway. and i try to not eat, and a lot of times i skip meals and don't eat anything from when i get up until after school or even close to dinner time, and i have lost weight since i've been doing that, but not as much as i want to. but the thing is i want to stop eating entirely except that then i can't do it for the whole day, so i always end up eating something.

Answer 1

Yes, it is. The diagnostic criteria for eating disorders don't specifically include lack of eating as a requirement for diagnosis. Instead, they talk about refusal to maintain healthy body weight, and preoccupation with losing weight or avoiding becoming fat. Someone can eat at least a little bit every day, and still meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, let alone for "eating disorder not otherwise specificies," which covers any type of clearly disordered eating that doesn't meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

You already know that it's not healthy for you to try to lose weight, and that there's something wrong with wanting to. Admitting you have a problem is often the hardest part, especially with something like an eating disorder, where it's based on a distorted perception of reality. Now you just need to tell someone what's going on, so you can get help to deal before you start to do any serious damage to your body.

Answer 2

It is still considered an eating disorder because of the intent. Really though the important issue is why the intent exists. If by BMI standards you are already underweight, then why would you want to continue losing weight? I'm glad to hear that you still end up eating something. If you really want to lose weight that badly, there are responsible ways to do so. Look up your recommended daily caloric intake and try to stick near that. Combine this with healthy eating choices and excersise and you should do fine. This method will not only help you lose weight, but will help tone your muscles and give you a healthy look.

Answer 3

It sounds like you have some body image issues and some issues with food. You do worry about it more than I would consider "healthy." It affects your happiness, and possibly your health (if you are going months at a time without eating.) You say you know you are not overweight, but yet you are still unhappy enough with the way you look not to wear shorts. And you sound very stressed about what you eat. Now, just as an example, I on the other hand, wear pretty much whatever, as long as it fits and flatters. Shorts, skirts, pants, long-sleeves, short-sleeves, you name it. The only thing I don't wear is extremely tight or low-cut things because I personally don't really think it is tasteful. I also don't worry a lot about what I eat. I try to eat healthy, but I also cheat sometimes, and don't really worry too much about it. As long as I go back to eating healthy the next day. I DO however make sure I don't skip meals, because for me that would cause me to get a migraine, so I worry about food in that way. I might be kinda the opposite in that way. hahaha. I definately don't think I am perfect looking or anything, but I have accepted the way I look, and try to play up my good features I guess. I think if you are having body image issues, you should probably talk to your doctor about it, or consider counseling. You deserve to be happy, and not to continue to beat yourself up for what you looked like in jr. high.

Answer 4

if you skip meals your body will freak out because it is hungry and will start to store fat, because it thinks that its not going to get fed again, so the next time you eat any thing you eat will be stored as fat so your body has energy for when you starve yourself again, what you are doing is dangerous and you can pass out from lack of food, your body needs fuel to function propley.....just eat right have fruit and vegies only eat a peice of meat the size of your hand and drink lots of water it will make you feel fuller, but it sounds to me that you are not over weight and dont need to lose any , that could be the start of an eating disoreder like anorexia, maybe you should see a doctor

Answer 5

That does sound like an eating disorder. You may want to talk to a counsler about it. But if all you really want is an apperance of being even thinner, you could always try a corset.

Answer 6

you should really search "anorexia" images. i think itll make you appreciate food and a healthy body. i understand wanting to feel thin and not being satisfied with your body. ive been there and am still there....but, im not going to stop eating to try to get to that "ideal" body. to me it sounds like youre headed down a road thats going to just get worse. i really think you should consider seeing a doctor about it. you probably arent healthy right now. why dont you talk to a dietitian and have him design a diet thats right for you. you can also join a gym and get a trainer to help you maintain a healthy weight that will keep you looking thin and healthy. i think youll like the body you see when your are healthy and i think youll feel good about yourself too. yes, the scale might say you weigh more, but dont pay attention to he numbers. they dont mean anything unless you are really overweight and you my dear are not even close. please see a professional to help you. you are not on a healthy track.

Answer 7

Yes you have an eating disorder. You might have a hormone imbalance. How tall are you compared to your fellow students. You should go to your doctor. You have other problems as well. Its all related to your cutting and your morbid fascinations.

Answer 8

go get help dint sit here and ask a crazy question like that. you said it you,rs elf you still wanna loose weight well if your that skinny and wanna get skinnier ya then i would say your,ANOREXIC, time to call the doc for a appointment and start getting things going because if you let it go to much longer it will mess your system up bad. believe me i know. GET HELP NOW.

Answer 9

I would say even having the want to starve yourself is an eating disorder, even if you don't follow through with it.

Answer 10

then it doesnt matter if you have an eating disorder or not because its not happening anyway