eating disorder?

Question

i'm 13, 5ft exactly, and 120lbs. I have a major body-image disorder and my mom's afraid that I'm on the verge of anorexia or bulemia. I told her I'd never do anything like that but I doubt myself a little. What are the symptoms of anorexia and bulemia and how can I convince my mom and myself that I won't have an eating disorder?

I, personally, know I'm headed that way. I think I'm fat and nothing I try seems to work. The thought of bulemia disgusts me but I could end up like that. I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

Hey im 19 and like you i had the same thought!! but i culdnt stand the thoughts and had to do solething about it so i startved for a while because i culd never bring myself to vomit!! I couldnt even take my shir of at the beach because i thought i was fat!! but everytime i went to the doctor he told me that i was actually underweight!! thankfullt i never developed a full fleged eating disorder!! I still struggle with body image even though im a real popular guy but i will never go down the bad path again!! Ive oly had a small insight into anorexia like a tiny sight and its not pretty!!

so here are some ways to tell if someone is anorexic or thinking anorexic:

Anorexia is characterised by:

• Extreme concerns about weight
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
• Deliberate maintenance of a very low body weight
• Often absent menstrual cycles

People with anorexia have an intense desire for weight loss and to be thin (often unhealthily so). Although people with anorexia are usually underweight, they generally believe that they are "fat."

Food, weight and appearance often become the main focus for someone who has anorexia. Concentrating on food and weight becomes a (conscious or unconscious) way of dealing with or managing intense emotions or emotional difficulties that they are experiencing.

Both males and females, from any social or economic background, can suffer from anorexia. Although the disorder usually begins in the late teenage years it can manifest at any age, and its onset is often associated with a stressful event or a period of dieting.

Common signs of anorexia
Some of the common signs of anorexia may be:

• Being afraid of putting on weight
• Calorie counting and/or obsessively avoiding of high fat food
• Marked weight loss
• Not wanting to eat
• Being hungry but not wanting to admit it
• Over exercising
• Obsessive weighing
• Getting cold easily
• Irregular (or absent) menstrual cycles
• Feeling like they are too fat even though they may be very thin
• Nails and hair become brittle
• Dry and yellow skin
• Preference to eating alone or only eating around other people
• Feeling depressed and irritable
• Lanugo, or fine body hair, on the trunk and face

If you are experiencing a number of these things, it may be helpful to talk with someone you trust, like a family member, teacher, psychologist or local doctor.

Check out your local phone book or to find out details of people you can approach for assistance in your local area. Or, you can also ask a doctor to refer you to someone who can help you.

What causes Anorexia Nervosa?
Eating disorders such as anorexia are a combination of physical and mental health difficulties and there are usually a number of factors that contribute to its development. These factors could include any or all of the following:

• Physical, emotional, or sexual trauma
• Cultural emphasis or preoccupation with body image ideals
• Relationships with peers and family
• Loss and grief
• Brain chemistry
• Physiological effects of dieting
• Stress or coping styles
• Genetic factors
• A feeling of lack of control over one's life
• An inability to cope with and manage emotions/feelings in a more positive way

It is often impossible to identify one single cause of a person's eating disorder. Rather, eating disorders are usually a result of a combination of factors working together.

For some people it will be easy to identify what some of the reasons may be, but for others it may be very difficult. Regardless of the causes or reasons, it is important to remember that people with anorexia can and do recover.

Difference between Anorexia and Bulimia
Both anorexia and bulimia are eating disorders, however the characteristics of each are different. Anorexia is characterised by a desire to lose weight and self-starvation (severe restriction of the amount of food consumed).

People who experience bulimia also usually share the intense desire to lose weight and be thin, but instead of starving themselves they are prone to episodes of eating large amounts of food in short spaces of time (binging), which they then feel the need to rid themselves of via various means of purging (such as vomiting, starving, or over-exercising).

People who suffer from anorexia often have episodes of binge eating and purging; however, unlike bulimics, their body weight is well below the "healthy" range. For more information about bulimia you may want to check out the factsheet on the right hand side of the page.

Suggestions for getting help for Anorexia
Many People with eating disorders feel that they are not "sick enough" or "thin enough" to warrant receiving help for their disorder. It is important to remember and keep reminding yourself that eating disorders are psychological disorders that cause great suffering. The bodily effects of an eating disorder are merely a symptom of deeper issues.

Anybody whose life is being affected by an eating disorder, regardless of its perceived severity, deserves access to support and treatment. Everyone with an eating disorder deserves to have their eating disorder taken seriously, regardless of what they weigh or of how much or how little they eat.

It is a good idea to try and find help sooner rather than later. The longer someone has experienced anorexia the more difficult it is to start the recovery process. It may also be a good idea to remember this if you are starting treatment.

If you are having difficulties reaching the goals set, try not to be too hard on yourself. It is important to keep trying. Persistence and courage are the keys to recovery. Remember that recovery is possible!

Everybody with anorexia is different, thus the same treatment approach won't be suited to everyone. What works for one person might not work for you, so it is worth investigating and trying out various options and approaches.

theres a lot there to read but just do it!! If you have any concerns yu need to talk to youre parents about them and decide wether you need to go to a doctor!!

good luck, remember youre not alone there are any peple who have the same feelings as yu!! and there is always somone to tur to

see ya

Answer 2

Well the symptoms of an eating disorder is if you dont eat at all, and get malnutrishoned that is anorexia Or if you eat a lot and throw up. That is bulemia. there are many problems with that though. If you throw up your it can effect your body, your teeth will rot, you can even die. Same with not eating at all. But if you think you need help to avoid having an eating disorder there are many groups and professional people here to help. But remember, there are all kinds of sizes of people. And from 13 years old 120 pounds is perfect. I weighed that till i was 18. So i think from that you are perfect.

Answer 3

Eating Disorder or Disordered Eating???

Answer 4

A lot of people who have eating disorders, especially anorexia, deny they even have a problem in a first place that their just on a diet. You probably are on the verge of getting an eating disorder. You should probably get counseling before you actually get to that point.

Answer 5

sweetie, This is not a life,I struggle daily and have for 18 years.Please seek help ok.U can email me if u like.2 strokes,kidney failure,bad skin,teeth are see theu!,constant cold,bowels have literally shut down almost.Please get help ok.There are so many ways to be thin and healthy and this is not one of them.U can eat 5-6 times aday and excersise 3-5 times aweek(if only by walking) but this is not the way.
Extreme weight loss
Stunted growth
Endocrine disorder, leading to cessation of periods in girls (amenorrhea)
Decreased libido; impotence in males
Starvation symptoms, such as reduced metabolism, slow heart rate (bradycardia), hypotension, hypothermia and anemia
Growth of lanugo hair over the body
Abnormalities of mineral and electrolyte levels in the body
Zinc deficiency
Often a reduction in white blood cell count
Reduced immune system function
Body mass index less than 17.5 in adults, or 85% of expected weight in children
Possibly with pallid complexion and sunken eyes
Creaking joints and bones
Tooth decay
Collection of fluid in ankles during the day and around eyes during the night
Constipation
Very dry/chapped lips due to malnutrition
Poor circulation, resulting in common attacks of 'pins and needles' and purple extremities
In cases of extreme weight loss, there can be nerve deterioration, leading to difficulty in moving the feet
Headaches, due to malnutrition
Thinning of the hair
Nails become more brittle
Constantly feeling "cold"
Bruise easily
Dry skin
If u need to email me u can.I just beg of u to seek help somewhere.Local mental health centers,school counsler,friends,preacher,any thing.Just please stop ok.I know its easier said than done,But with support It can happen.Life is to precious Hun to lose it from anorexia or bulimia.I have lost many friends from this.And I have shortened my life span bad.

Answer 6

Eat healthfully and exercise. Don't starve yourself or work out too much, and don't throw up all your food. What is it about yourself that you don't like? What is causing your self esteem to be low? Seeking counseling may be helpful for you and your mom.

Answer 7

if you have doubts of having a disorder is because you know you have one even if its starting.
today is the 13th birthay of my daughter, I am so happy she is healthy in fact today in the morning before she went to school we prayed giving thanks for that as well as other things, you are very young, help yourself, talk the truth to your mother, she loves you, I cannot imagine my little girl with any of those problems, ask for help or information, good luck

Answer 8

well just make her trust you more eat lots of food sooooo she sees that you like to eat and you wont have a eating disorder good luck!!!

Answer 9

Thats too skinny, why dont you go see a counsler about it

Answer 10

do you feel disgusted when you have to eat food?
do you feel like you have to vomit after eating food?