Anorexia and Bipolar Disorder?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2007
Anorexia and Bipolar Disorder?
3
Mon, 03-05-2007 - 2:28am

Hi,

My mom has bipolar disorder and I was curious about it so I read a few messages. I saw some stuff about diet pills and dieting and I was just wondering if Bipolar disorder causes anorexia or makes people want to diet? I really don't know much about it - but I'm concerned because my mom is weight obsessed and really too thin. She wasn't like this when I was younger but was always very critical of me (I've always been underweight but I eat a lot) and over the last couple years just doesn't eat much, if anything. She was never overweight but now she's about 105 lbs, 5'5'', and 57 yrs old. Is there any connection?? If so, what do I say? I feel like if she fell down a stair she would break all her bones! Is there a good way to go about it if there is a connection without her flipping out? Sorry if I sound clueless - but I really am.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Mon, 03-05-2007 - 9:38am

Hi Cecily,


I'm not sure that there's any connection to anorexia. However, I do know that

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Mon, 03-05-2007 - 4:48pm

I don't know that there has ever been a link found between the two, but they certainly can and do exist together--a number of our members are either battling or recovering from different eating disorders.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2006
Tue, 03-06-2007 - 8:21am

From my personal experience, the two were related. As part of my disorder, I have OCD. It started when I was 13 and I still have the issues. My DR orginally put me on Effexor, which made me gain about 20--it was a real struggle not to revisit the old habits--but mentally draining as well.

True, my eating disorder (Anorexia/Bulemia) was brought about by other problems, but I really think it was my way of trying to control at least one thing in my life when I couldn't make sense of what was happening to me.

So, yes it is something that could be happening to your Mom. HTH!