Possible eating disorder?

[Parvosufferer]

Hi. I am a female in late 20's and am worried I may have the beginnings (?) of an eating disorder. I got very sick a few years ago and lost a lot of weght as a result (lowest weight was 112 pounds). Although I hated being ill, I quite liked the fact that I had shed a few pounds and have been trying not to put it back on ever since. I don't usually eat a lot of lunch, usually just an orange and have lied to my friends when they asked why I am just eating an orange - and say I ate my lunch early at my desk. My husband travels a lot and when he is away I take the opportunity to avoid proper meals, and just eat sandwiches, toast, fruit, perhaps only a few items a day. But when he is at home I will cook, eat and enjoy full meals. I have never made myself throw up, but I do get bad stomach cramps and diarrhea occassionaly - usually after my first proper meal after abstaining for a while.

I loved being told I had lost so much weight, and I still do now. I do obsess a bit about ensuring I always look slim in my clothes, picutres etc. But this is a normal human reaction, right?  

I and 5'6 and 120 pounds, so normal BMI?

Should I be worried, or not? I guess the only issue I really have are the stomach cramps when I eat a big meal, but is this how eating disorders start?      

Thanks. x

[Patricia Pitts, PhD]

First of all, I would try to let go of any worry.  Worry is simply not productive.  Your question is a good one.  Let me just list a number of signs that make a person susceptible to an eating disorder or disordered eating (some of the following symptoms to a lessor degree and not as debilitating).  They are as follows:  weight loss from an illness; some kind of loss; depression, anxiety, abuse, poor body image, skipping meals; protecting one’s eating disorder behaviors (i.e., lying about eating, restricting when alone, excessive exercise, binge/purging behaviors, restrictive eating); GI problems; and preoccupation with food, weight and appearance.  You can visit the bella vita website for a more comprehensive list as well as take our eating disorder survey.  As you can see you have some symptoms.  The best way to verify if you have an eating disorder, disordered eating or normal eating is to see an eating disorder specialist for a comprehensive consultation.  Best regards, Patricia Pitts, PhD  The Bella Vita  Los Angeles, CA  

[thinguie]

I apologize but I am not able to provide you with an answer to that question because I do not know. Some signs of malnutrition include: Weakness, dizziness, anemia, loss of hair. Physical appearance of being ill.

I suggest that you visit a health professional for an evaluation and he/she will be able to referr you to a specialist.

Please do not wait to seek help.

[Parvosufferer]

No, I have not taken laxatives or diuretics, or done anything other than restrict what I eat. I have noticed a fine, soft hair on my upper arms, jawline, chest etc. Is that a sign of malnutrition?

[thinguie]

I am a bulimic/anorexic in recovery. In my opinion I believe that the symptoms that you are having are due to a lack of a balanced nutrition.  The reason that you feel sick when you eat a bit more is because your body has become used to not receiving enough food. Please be very careful because you can get very sick in the long run and your body may become damaged for the rest of your life.  Do you purge? Take laxatives? Diuretics? Therapy may help but you are the one that can really help yourself. You are very young. Enjoy your life. There are diets and healthy lifestyles that can help you to maintain your weight without starving yourself. This way you can enjoy your favorite foods with the company of your friends and family.

I hope that this information is useful to you.

Take care.

[Parvosufferer]

Thanks. Is it to be expected to have severe lower abdonminal stomach cramps when eating a normal (large for me) sized meal after 'grazing' for a while? By severe I mean bent double for about an hour, hyperventilating, dizzy, and constipation, followed by diarreah. And then feel OK, but exhausted.