If we look at the world today, it is definately more fast paced. The media is in full swing and society as a whole basis a lot of emphasis on body image. How you look, and what you weigh. This is an open discussion for eating disorders and body image, how one percieves themselves, the whys and what it can lead to. This discussion will hopefully emphasise how things can spiral out of control, describe the help you can get, and answer any questions someone may have. A safe discussion without judgement. Please note that no-one here is a professional and you should always seek the opinion of a professional before making any major decisions.
Eating Disorders include but are not limited to the following:
Anorexia Nervosa : Restriction of food, refusal to maintain minimal normal body weight. Weight Loss through limiting or excluding foods percieved to have high fat or caloric content. Can also include vomiting, laxative abuse, diurectic abuse, insulin abuse, chew-spitting and excessive excercise. Self-Esteem and self worth tied directly to body shape and weight.
Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimic binges usually consist of larger than normal quantity of food, typically high in caloric intake, normally done in secrecy and rarely in the presence of others. Foods types vary but are often sweet and/or high in fat content. Some planned in advance and some are impulsive stemming from personal triggers.
Compulsive Overeating: Vicious cycle of binge eating and depression. Food is used as a coping mechanism to deal with uncomfortable feelings. Amount of food and duration can vary greatly. Triggers can include depression, anxiety, interpersonal stressors, boredom, prolonged dieting, and body image dissatisfaction. Temporary stress relief followed by feelings of guilt, shame, disgust and further depression. Often done in secret hidden away from others.
Side Effects:
The following is a partial list of possible complications from eating disorders.
So just curious has anyone ever had an eating disorder or know anyone who has one?
I'm sure it's pretty common.
My Aunt actually used to suffer from Bulimia.
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I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.
Normally I wouldn't talk about it but I do have an eating disorder, have gotten help and am learning to work through it, which is what made me think of starting this discussion. I am a Compulsive Overeater, it started in jr.high and just continued on, for me it made me feel better for the moment food couldnt talk back, food was always there. So a lot of times when I am feeling down, mad, stressed etc... I turn to food espcially when no-one else is around, I just eat until I feel sick and then I feel really bad and disgusting for it and the cycle continues. I am getting help with it but do struggle and do have setbacks. A lot of people think that over eaters are just fat people who are lazy and use this as an excuse or don't believe it really exsists because its not talked about nearly as much as anorexia or bulimia. It does exsist and it is an everyday struggle. I don't think Ill ever be "cured" but I am learning how to cope with my emotions in a more productive way, I am working really hard on not caring what others think about me so that nothing anyone says can become a trigger. My life growing up was a complete rollarcoaster so I know some of it stems from that as well. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy...
_________________ “I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don’t have as many people who believe it.” - George Carlin
What a lot of people fail to realize is that most eating disorders aren't about "being fat" or "being skinny" -- that is just how it looks at the surface. It really is a completely emotional issue. People turn to many different things in order to cope with difficult circumstances and feelings of worthlessness. For some it may be drugs, for others cutting, and for others binging and purging.
And yeah, learning to cope with these feelings, circumstances, and thoughts in more productive ways is the key to overcoming them.
I'm actually thinking this topic might fit better in "The Shrink's Office" forum. I'll leave it up to you to move it if you feel it belongs there though.
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I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.
Initially I went back and forth when posting it since it deals with physical health as well as emotional/mental. I agree though and thus have moved it Since its normally a psychological issue that starts it to begin with.
_________________ “I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don’t have as many people who believe it.” - George Carlin
Thank you for sharing your story. A lot of people automatically think anorexia/bulimia when they hear 'eating disorder'. I'm glad you brought this point of view to the table.
What are some of the ways you cope with having an eating disorder? You said you were learning how to be more productive with your emotions, so I'm interested to hear if you're willing to share.
I worked with a nutritionist as well as a psychologist and learnt about different meal plans, was taught to keep track of what I eat and for a while I had to write out why I ate what I did. Was I hungry, or was there another reason for it? I had to figure out what my triggers were so I could learn to deal with how I felt and why I felt that way. In doing so I learnt that my past played a bigger part in my here and now then I thought, I was forced to come to terms with a lot of negative things and understand they were beyond my control and that I was not to blame for them. They taught me to productively evaluate the people in my life, to make necessary changes so that my life isnt a toy for anyone else. I have always had a tendency to bottle up everything Im feeling, I can't honestly say I never do that now but I am getting better at talking to people and when that fails I use a journal and write everything out it helps me understand myself and release all thats inside. The biggest was learning how to trust people in my life. It has been a very long process and I still have set backs but by learning that I am worthy of loving myself and knowing how to get rid of pent of emotions makes it easier to reach for the phone, or my journal than to run into the kitchen. I am stronger now than before, and will be stronger tomorrow than today. I have taken on the attitude "If it isn't fatal, it's no big deal" when it comes to a lot of everyday stress. A lot of people don't understand how hard it is to change ones own mindset, its kind of like the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" even when your life is on the line it still takes a lot of time and effort. Judgment from others makes it that much harder. At this point in my life for the most part I feel comfortable in my skin, I understand I am not a bad person, I am not a lazy person and irregardless of what anyone thinks of me I am worthy.
_________________ “I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don’t have as many people who believe it.” - George Carlin
For several years, I've been diagnosed with an ED-NOS (eating disorder - not otherwise specified) with anorexic tendencies. I didn't 'qualify' for Anorexia Nervosa because I didn't have a BMI of under 16 and I was still getting my period, but everything else was there. Basically, I was too 'fat' of an Anorexic to get into a clinic.
At my worst point, I had a BMI of ~18 and usually went about 2 days without eating or drinking anything other than diet coke and water. I considered anything over 50 calories a binge.
I still struggle with it, and I still hate eating, but I'm getting better. I'm learning to want to maintain my weight instead of lose.
It wasn't peer pressure that caused me to want to lose weight, it was simply the fact that I felt my parents placed too much pressure on me to be an awesome kid, and I felt horrible that I wasn't as good as they wanted me to be. They also kept me on a really tight leash, so my own way of 'taking control' of my life would be to control my weight.
Since I've been improving it's not a very sensitive or touchy subject for me anymore, so if you have any questions, you're welcome to ask.
![[Wink]](images/smiles/icon_wink.gif "Wink"){kind=icon}
Since its normally a psychological issue that starts it to begin with.![[Smile]](images/smiles/icon_smile.gif "Smile"){kind=icon}
