Do I have an eating disorder ?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2003
Do I have an eating disorder ?
2
Sun, 01-11-2004 - 7:29pm
How do you know if you have an eating disorder? I do not starve myself or throw up, but I have trouble controlling the amount of food I eat. It is like once I begin eating, I can't stop until I am stuffed. I don't do this all the time, but it is especially bad with sweets. Tonight I ate 5 donuts for dessert. I wanted to stop at one but just couldn't. I felt gross and ashamed afterwards and threw the rest in the trash. I don't have a weight problem, yet... But this can't be healthy. Is this an eating disorder? Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-12-2004 - 11:08am

Well, it does sound like you are eating for reasons other than nourishment and your portions are out of control. Are there any emotional issues you haven't resolved or dealt with? Have you always eaten this way or has it started recently? If it started recently, was there some upsetting event that led you to eat this way?


At this point it doesn't sound like you are in any great danger, but EDs can get out of hand fast. My suggestion would be to go see a counselor and see what's going on emotionally before things get worse.

Love & hugs, Kristina


The opinions I have expressed here are from my own experience and are not intended as medical advice or to take the place of your own physician's advice.

Love & hugs, Kristina

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2003
Mon, 01-12-2004 - 1:17pm
I agree with Kristina. Food is meant to nourish our bodies, and five doughnuts does not sound very nourishing. It may not be classifies as an ED, but it does sound as though you are eating based on emotions. From my own experience, before I was bulimic, I was definitely an emotional eater (and I suffered from depression), and would eat similarly to what you are describing. I slowly put on weight through my adolescent years and my self esteem disintigrated. Thus began the ugly cycle of my ED, which I struggled with for nine years.

It may benefit you to keep a journal to pinpoint emotions and whether they trigger a binge. A counselor would definitely be a great step. Keep coming here to vent and ask questions, which is a great way to deal with your emotions rather than eating.

Love,

Jennifer

http://mattsmommy.blogspot.com/