Help Me Figure Out If I'm Anorexic
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Anonymous
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I'm on the fence about whether I have disordered eating habits that I need to work on or am actually anorexic. The basic facts are:
(1) I'm 5'5" and about 100-105 pounds. (2) I do not starve myself and typically eat 1600-2000 calories a day. (3) I track all of my calories via a food log and like for there to be an "even" number of calories a day. (4) I exercise to justify my more excessive weekend food intake but do not "match" calories in with calories out. (5) I have obesity in my family and watched a close family member literally die from being overweight alone (crushed their own lungs with weight). I started my initial dieting habits above then (about 50 pounds ago), but have been at this weight for a decade. (6) I prefer myself when thin and think I only look good thin. Thoughts? |
Anonymous
| Well, even at 105 you are underweight by BMI NIH standards. I think it would be worth finding a doctor or counselor to see about it, whatever it ends up being. |
Anonymous
| I would say you have OCD, at least. I would talk to your GP about this. |
Anonymous
| OP again. My GP wasn't concerned about the weight and food itself, but I am on very low dose anxiety meds because I'm pretty type A. |
Anonymous
| The very fact that you are asking about it signals to me that there is a problem. |
Anonymous
| If you can wash your clothes on your rib cage........you may be an anorexic. |
Anonymous
| I think you sound fine op, maybe a lilttle OCD, but many of us are. |
Anonymous
Keep it classy, PP. Always good with a sensitive topic. I cannot, in fact, wash clothes on my rib cage. Nary a bone is sticking out. |
Anonymous
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Your weight alone suggests a potential issue. You are less than 85% of normal body weight which is a key measure.
But ... Do you get your period regularly? Do you obsess about your body and food? Do you get very anxious about changes in routine and/or your food? Are you comfortable going out to eat and not being in control? The real issues are your overall health and your psychological comfort with your body and weight. If there are problems with either, why not seek out some help? Who cares if the label is disordered eat or eating disorder. |
Anonymous
| You are overly focused on food and exercise, and definitely underweight. I would recommend somethingfishy and a counselor, so you can spend less time preoccupied with calories, food, and weight. I have been there--you'll be happier if you can let go! Good luck and take care. |
Anonymous
| How do you "eat" 1 more calorie to make the counts even? |
Anonymous
I mean more generally, not that obsessively. I just don't want to borrow trouble and run to therapy if I'm within the realm of "normal American woman." |
Anonymous
| honestly, I don't think you're weight signals an issue, unless you are starving yourself to be this size. I am the same height and have weighed 110 for a decade, without this crazy level of dieting, though. Jennifer Aniston is this height, and I am sure she is about 105, no matter what anyone is saying. In fact, I bet just about every celebrity, other than the "curvy" ones, weighs this or less. So do alot of average, but naturally thin, women. So, weight wise, sure, you're thin, but not crazy skinny, like freakish head turning, I'm sure. It sounds like your issues with control of the food intake are more serious, however. So, those sound like control issues, and compulsive/obsessive. It sounds like thinking about this is a big chunk of your life, which is, of course, unhealthy, wasteful, and sad. So, by all means, get help. |
Anonymous
| OP, are there people in your immediate family who suffer from addictions of some sort? Sounds like there may be compulsive overeating but what about alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling? I'm no expert on this but apparently it's not unusual for relatives of alcoholics to have eating disorders. If there's a pattern in your family, it might be worth your time to investigate this further. |
Anonymous
| OP, please have this conversation with your doctor. You are looking for specific guidance which is great, but you need a professional opinion. GL |