Eating Disorder (unknown Type)

If anyone has any advice on that i'd like to hear it too.. I have the same problem as your friend... I have no appetite ever I eat so I dont die but when I do eat every 2 days or so, I tend to overeat and I feel disgusted with myself afterwards but I never make myself throw up becuase I can't breathe for like 20 mins after I throw up but anyways. I have been known to use laxatives though and I dunno I start tearing myself down after I eat and I can't stand being around skinny people I feel extremely uncomfortable I hate buying food I hate going anywheres near food when i'm with anyone else, even my own family members, it just makes me feel so fat and if I do I end up crying myself to sleep that night, no matter how hard I try I can't seem to lose weight though either, its a genetic thing, every woman in my family for the past 8 generations has been fat. I dont know what to do.. Someone please help?

I know it doesn't count for much but its a little comforting to know there are people with similar problems out there.

I hope to someone can shed some light and if I find anything out I shall try and remember to post it here.

Yeah. Wish I knew what was wrong with me

I'm a "recovering" bulimic (as in i'm trying but its not really working) and now that I can't throw up I wont eat anything, today all I ate was an apple, a coffee and some salad for dinner. So i'm probably not in the best position to give advice, except for the fact that I know what your friend is going through. I think the major thing with eating disorders is controll, or it was for me anyway, although I hate food and the thought of getting fat I don't think thats the real problem. For me its a stress release, when I get down and feel like there's nothing I can controll I throw up or don't eat. It seems like the only thing that I actually can controll. But its also like an addiction, once you start its bloody hard to stop because you get a rush from the eating disorder. One thing that might help is first find out what your friend gains from her ed, getting her to acknowlege that she actually has an ed, just let her vent to you about it. I know the worst thing for me is feeling so alone that I can't talk to anyone. I hear therapy helps, so just give her love and support and good luck

Bulimia and annorexia are like addictions as I said, then I remembered dr phil did a show about breaking addictions and I thought that perhaps these tips could help identify your problems and then get over them. I dunno though, its individual for everyone

seven steps to breaking your addiction:

1) acknowledge the purpose.
Why do you do it? You have to be able to answer that question. Is it to help you deal with anxiety and stress? It may be hard for you to admit that you have a drinking or smoking habit, but you can't change what you don't acknowledge. Dr. Phil says, "what purpose does the behavior serve for you? If you're an alcoholic, you're not just drinking because you're thirsty. Admit to yourself: 'i'm medicating myself for anxiety, depression and pain. It numbs me to life.'"

2) think rational thoughts instead of denial.
You understand at a conscious level, at an intellectual level that your addiction is unhealthy, yet you continue and this perplexes you. Dr. Phil points out, "if you're in denial about it, if you're minimizing it, if you're trivializing it, if you're conning yourself about it, then you'll never get where you need to be." if you can't get through the day without a shot of vodka, you may be medicating yourself for anxiety, depression or pain. You may need to count on others to help you think rationally.

3) use alternative coping skills.
People don't break bad habits; they replace them with new ones. Recognize that you get a reward from smoking or drinking. Dr. Phil explains, "it calms you. It takes your anxiety away. It lifts your spirits. It numbs you to the pain of your life. If I take that away from you and then don't put anything in its place, then you're just there stripped of your coping mechanisms and you're going to go back to what you were doing before." some alternative techniques to consider to replace your addiction are breathing exercises or relaxation techniques. Dr. Frank lawlis, a mentor and former professor of Dr. Phil's, has a series of relaxation cds that help shift the way you react to any type of stressful circumstance in your life. You have the ability to quiet yourself. You have the ability to reduce stress levels in your body in a healthier way than smoking, drinking or whatever your addiction does for you now.

4) identify your danger zones.
A danger zone can be a particular time of day or your reaction to a particular circumstance. There are times that you're more prone to indulge in your habit than others. Recognize what those times are, and do something that is incompatible with the addiction you're trying to break. For example, if you have the urge to light up during your 3 p.M. Break at work, take that time to do your breathing or relaxation exercises instead. Dr. Phil encourages, "if you get through that two or three moments of impulse, I promise you it will go away." you don't have to be strong and powerful all day long every day. You just need to recognize your danger zones, and do something incompatible with your addiction.

5) make lifestyle changes.
"it's not willpower, it's programming," Dr. Phil says. You have to set your life up for success if you're going to break your addiction. If you're trying to stop smoking or drinking, try simple things like not carrying money for cigarette vending machines or cleaning your cupboards of alcoholic beverages. You may have to change the places you frequent, what you do for fun and whom you hang out with. If you are a computer junkie, remove the computer from your house. The best way to stop an addiction is to not have access to it.

6) be accountable and have a support system.
Being accountable to someone means that that person will not only support you, but will give you the kick in the rear that you need when it gets tough and tell you the truth when you're kidding yourself. Get your family and friends involved in your efforts to kick the habit. If you're a smoker, print out these cards from Dr. Phil that warn your friends to refrain from indulging you. You can also find addiction support on the message boards at drphil.Com. You need to find a community that supports you during this time and embraces your decision to be healthier. You may also need to seek treatment or check into a rehabilitative program.

7) reward yourself.
Overcoming an addiction can be very difficult, but it can be done. When you see yourself making progress, even baby steps, you have to motivate yourself to keep going. Give yourself credit. Reward yourself for every step you make, starting with admitting that you have a problem and asking for help.

I think everyone that has had eating disorders can recognize them selfs. I don't think it should be really matter of what it is and try to give it a name- you need to help your friend out of this. It is eating disorder. Period. It is clearly mix between anorexia (as they starve themselves for days) and it is also bulemia (over eating). What they/we usually think is " well I am eating (=being bad) I might as well eat even more cuz result will be the same. Cuz they will just throw up at the end no matter how much/little they eat. I don't know how old your friends are but you could always talk with the school nurse if you are in school. I am sure they will be able to offer her good help. You are a good friend.
Good luck

K hey I am only 13 years old...But I have been a rlly chubby kid .. Like not fat but chubby and recently I have lost alot of weight .. I dont know how but I havnt been eating alot and I have already been to cheo once and do not want to go again ... Last time was for bulemia wen sum of the guys were calling me fat and it made me feel rlly bad about myself so I didnt know what else to do...But this time I will lie to my parents by saying I have eaten by rlly havnt..I cant tell them..They mite think I an doing it for attention wen I am not...I do not know who to talk to about this. And again I am only 13 and have been at it since 12...So I would really appreciate if sombody gave me advice on sum of this..Thank you guys

Hey hun, I know how you feel, I think one at one time or another everyone here has had to hide the way they are around food. My parents didn't realise what was wrong with me until 3 years after my ed had started, I have been suffering from it now for almost 5 years and i'm only 18.
I know you don't want to hear this but if I were you I would tell someone. The way I did it was I told a teacher who I trusted and she ended up telling my parents. It wasn't easy them finding out because it had been a secret for so long but when they did find out they didn't really do much about it. They knew I wasn't eating and things like that but they didn't make me eat and I didn't get help until last year.
You are very young to be suffering like this and i'm telling you it gets so much worse in your head and thats not nice at all. Your ed takes control and getting back that control can be very difficult.
I'm not going to tell you to eat or not get sick because if you do that now then you won't stop because I tell you to but I would really urge you to tell someone because it can get very loneyl and very scary.
If you do want to chat anytime please write to me k.
I hope your well,

take care

Why does it matter what label/type of ed you have? That isn't the important thing - the fact that you struggle around food is what matters! A gp I went to years ago, didn't believe that I had a problem, because my weight wasn't "low enough" - despite the fact that I was honest with him, and told him i'd lost so much in the previous 10 days. Hmmm, makes you wonder about some of the professionals out there. If only i'd been taken seriously, I might have got the help I needed 10 years ago... Many people can and do suffer from more than just one type of ed. It is not uncommon to have traits of different ones - some professionals tend to not see this. I would encourage you to get the help you deserve. Is there anyone you can tell - even a friend? A good friend was the first person to take me seriously, and I will be eternally grateful to her...