TeenHelp - Do I have an eating disorder?

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Do I have an eating disorder?

Lately, I've been eating like half the amount of calories I'm supposed to eat for someone of my size. I would be considered overweight/obese just because of my height. I've been eating only 2 of 3 meals a day, but it's small amounts of foods. I'm really restricting what I'm putting in my mouth, sometimes I would eat something, but then I would spit it into a napkin. Even if I have a bite of something, like a small piece of a candy bar, I would feel really guilty about it and all I can think about is how pounds just that one small piece is putting on me. I also extremely count calories, and I won't eat anything if I don't know the calorie content of it.

So, I was wondering if the things I put above are the start of an eating disorder?

Re: Do I have an eating disorder?

Hey Cathy,

I'm so glad you've been strong enough to reach out for help, that's always the hardest but most important step to make!

We are not medical professionals, so we cannot diagnose you with an eating disorder. However, these habits are very often the start of developing one. If you are worried about your weight, I'd really recommend you see a medical professional so that they can give you a meal plan that is right for you for the weight you need to be at. These starving mesaures are not going to give you healthy results, and may be the start of something dangerous. So instead, see your doctor!

Also, talk to them about your emotional feelings about your weight. Whether or not you are overweight, overweight does not mean bad, immoral, ext. It just means you're over a healthy weight. In this 21st century world, we need to stop this fataphobia, having this irrational fear of being overweight and thinking any food with fat in it is bad or having fat on our stomachs is bad. Yes, being overweight is unhealthy, but no, it does not make you a bad person. This is a health issue, not a moral issue. Do we consider people with diabetes bad people? What about cancer? Being overweight is just a health issue, so we should think of it the same way.

Hope that helped a bit and you are able to get help, stay strong! :hug:

Re: Do I have an eating disorder?

Thanks for your help :)