I think I might have an eating disorder?

Question

Lately I've been very introspective and I'm starting to think I have some kind of eating disorder.

Any time I consume anything other than water I feel bad about it afterwards to the point where I kind of shut down. I'm self conscious about eating in front of other people. I'll sometimes avoid eating meals to keep my stomach from bloating (I bloat very easily).

Growing up my sister was bulimic (which tore my family apart tbh) and my mother would always try to bribe me into losing weight by saying things like "if you want this purse you need to lose 25 lbs this month" and things of the like. Ive been guilted about my eating habits and ridiculed about my weight for as long as I can remember.

The reason I don't get any kind of help or really bring it up is because I don't *look* like I have an eating disorder. I'm 5'8" and weigh 175. I'm not big but I'm certainly not skinny either. (Pic for reference)I'm just posting to maybe get some feedback on how valid my worries are. I've had doctors blow off symptoms of mine before and it was painful so I'm trying to keep that from happening again.

Thanks in advance 😘😘

Answer

I am so sorry your mum says things like that to you. It is definitely not healthy to hear things like that. 
I actually have an eating disorder, I might be able to provide a little insight?
My question is, do you intentionally skip meals to lose weight? Have you lost a lot of weight since you started having thoughts like this?

Answer

Girl, eating disorders don't discriminate. A person can have an ED at any weight. I suffer from an ED personally, so don't be afraid to message me. An ED isn't actually about the food. Or your weight. It's the thoughts. Praying for you, pretty girl 💕

Answer

While your body might look healthy (rockin' those cute shorts, btw), the negative thoughts are certainly not healthy. I agree that talking to a counselor could help to develop a healthy approach to food as nutrition and energy. It could also help with coping with pressure from your mom and influence from your sister-if you feel those are important. There are some psychologists that specialize in body image issues and eating disorders.

Best of luck! 🌼

Answer

I guess I'm kinda in the same boat. I remember one time when I was in middle school and I was eating a snack after I got out of school (I don't remember what it was) and my mom said "you're really going to eat that and not work out?" I'm now in college and I still remember feeling like shit about myself. Now if I eat anything really fatty I will chew it and spit it out. I've never thrown up or anything like that, but I think not being able to swallow your food is not a good thing either😖 but I am healthy and happy and stopped doing it a lot

Answer

My sister is currently in eating disorder treatment, even though she doesn't look the stereotype. She may not always skip meals or binge and purge. But the negative self talk is there. If you carry a negative attitude towards food that is a problem and you should seek help.

Answer

Even if it isn't officially an eating disorder, although it sounds like it could be, you should seek help. Your mom has not helped at all in helping foster a healthy self image and love you deserve one. If your doctor won't help talk to a counselor or therapist covered by your insurance. They will help figure out what's going on and help give you to tools to work to be healthy.  Just because someone doesn't look like they have a problem doesn't make it so. You deserve to be heard and when you find the right person (counselor) you will be. Best of luck 💞

Answer

Even if it isn't officially an eating disorder, although it sounds like it could be, you should seek help. Your mom has not helped at all in helping foster a healthy self image and love you deserve one. If your doctor won't help talk to a counselor or therapist covered by your insurance. They will help figure out what's going on and help give you to tools to work to be healthy.  Just because someone doesn't look like they have a problem doesn't make it so. You deserve to be heard and when you find the right person (counselor) you will be. Best of luck 💞

I think I might have an eating disorder?

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