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1.) I have heard that body dysmorphia may not necessarily continue to be a criterion for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. However, in my experience and from the people I encountered in treatment, I think it is more common than not. There are always exceptions to any rule. I personally don't feel like my eating disorder came about because I wanted to be thin. But I do think body dysmorphia was a part of my disorder.
2.) I don't know if I necessarily find it odd that chew-and-spit is acknowledged when others are not, but it is a shame. I think all eating disorders should be recognized, although I suppose it would be difficult to come up with guidelines because a lot of EDNOS sufferers have varying symptoms. -
this is the website i mentioned
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asked by ToughLovePsych
Well, the technical difference between the two has to do with the diagnostic criteria that can be found in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. Here is a link for the DSM-V, which is being created. This link shows what the criterion for eating disorders wil be in the DSM-V vs what they currently are in the DSM-IV, and why certain things are being changed.
For example, it currently states that amenorrhea is necessary for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. However, I did not lose my period even at a BMI of 14 or 15. In the DSM-V, this criteria will be changed. Also, if a girl is on birth control pills she may get her period artificially. It also is sadly beginning to effect young pre-menstrual females, so I am glad they are changing the criterion.
However, all technicalities aside, I do feel that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish an eating disorder from disordered eating. Our society sadly encourages extreme behaviors such as restricting, fasting, and excessive exercise.
For me, I think the difference has to do with your state of mind. For me, my eating disorder was never a CHOICE. I know women in college who would make themselves throw up after a particularly large meal, or who would go on a juice fast for 5 days. But when all was said and done, they were in control. They could start and stop whenever they pleased. Me, on the other hand? I couldn't.
I also think that most people with eating disorders have a distorted body image. Most people can diet until they get to an appropriate and healthy weight. Eating disordered individuals, however, can look at the mirror and see fat even when they are emaciated.
Hope that somewhat answered the question..... -
In my current photos, I am at a BMI of around 19 or 19.5. I made it to 20, but I admit that lately, what with finals and general stress and a rough cold (and of course ED symptoms--I won't lie and I shouldn't be ashamed to admit when I'm struggling a bit), my weight has dropped a few pounds. However, I am still within a healthy range and have been above 18.5 for awhile now.
I assure you, 20 is NOT going to be scary. The healthy range is 18.5 to 25, so 20 is still on the rather low end of healthy. Everyone's body is different, too. For me, I have always been around the weight I am now (or a few pounds more), and I have been consistently getting a period now for the past several months. My hair, skin, and everything else seem healthier now too, which my doctor said is also an indication that I am near where I should be.
I can't lie and say my ED doesn't hate my body sometimes. I am still SO slender, and people tell me that all the time. Logically, I know I look fine. Hell, I look pretty damn good! But of course ED won't let us believe that. Push through it though. Recovery is worth it.
Hope that helps!!! -
Thank you so much! All I want to do with my blog is help at least ONE person see that there is hope, so I really appreciate your comment. Anyway, I have been in recovery since May of 2009. So, that really isn't very long at all.
And although I have come a long way, and my life is now rich and full of things other than an obsession and preoccupation with food, weight, and exercise, I would not say that I am fully "recovered". I am strong in my recovery, but I still keep my guard up. I have things that trigger me (like STRESS), and I still have to be aware of these things to make sure I stay on the right path.
However, I am finally doing very well, and have been consistently doing well for awhile now. :-) -
Eating disorders are very isolating illnesses, so it is typical to feel ashamed. I was so afraid to ask for help for such a long time, because I thought my behaviors were my fault. I thought they were embarrassing. I would binge in secret, exercise in secret, and skip meals while telling others I had already eaten. It was an awful cycle that was difficult to overcome.
I want to urge you to reach out for help anyway, no matter how ashamed you may be of your behaviors. ED will make you feel awful about yourself, but know that IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.
Every part of my therapy was beneficial, but I think the most useful was actually group therapy and nutritional therapy. In group therapy, I finally found people who knew EXACTLY what was going through my mind and body. In nutritional counseling, I learned the truth about nutrition, and learned the myths of diet scams. I also learned to trust my nutritionist which led me, in turn, to trust my body over time.
Please also know that recovery is not linear by any means. It spirals. It has hills and valleys. There will be ultimate highs, and there will be unbearable lows. I still have days (or weeks at a time) where I slip up and binge or overexercise or skip meals. But, the longer you stick with recovery, the better it will get, slowly but surely. That I can promise you. -
It's hard for me to pinpoint one single "aha! moment" in my recovery, but there are certainly some standouts.
1. The look on my parents' faces when they saw me for the first time after I returned home from college and had lost a dangerous amount of weight.
2. The time I physically had to stop running on the treadmill because I thought I was going to die.
3. Realizing that I no longer had any friends, and I had ruined my relationship with my boyfriend of 2 years--all because of ED.
4. Lying in bed under 5 layers of covers--in the spring--and STILL shivering.
5. When the number on the scale dropped below XX and I realized I would die if I didn't do something IMMEDIATELY.
6. Losing my period for over a year, and realizing that at age 22, I was unable to bear children. I want a family when I get married, and if I hadn't turned my life around, that might not have been possible.
There are so many more moments, but honestly, it's hard to name them all. Basically, my friends, family, and even teachers and coworkers inspired me to get help. Reading recovery blogs inspired me. Reading Jenni Scahefer's books and other books about recovery inspired me.
All I can say is, even when it is rough (and believe me, it gets ROUGHHH), keep pressing on. Recovery is SO worth it. I am now healthy, happy, and I have so much energy! I am living my life again. I'm dating, and I have lots of friends, and I can actually focus on my studies and be productive! -
This question was posed 2 months ago, and I apologize for taking so long to answer! I unfortunately forgot about my formspring and thus hadn't logged in for quite some time.
Anyway, I have been in and out of the "healthy" weight range in the past year or so. However, I unfortunately have to admit that recently I have struggled a bit more and have fallen back into the "underweight" BMI range. I am now actively gaining weight again and am shooting for a BMI of 20.
I want to take a minute to point out, though, that even if someone "looks" healthy, that doesn't mean they ARE healthy. I know plenty of women and men who were a healthy weight but were still just as actively struggling with their eating disorders as someone at a lower weight. I happen to be someone who was always naturally on the "smaller" side for my height, which means that when I lost weight, I was almost immediately in the "underweight" zone. However, some people may be at a BMI of 21 or 22 but still be restricting, purging, and overexercising. I just wanted to clear up the myth that all eating-disordered individuals look sick, because that is definitely not true. -
I used to compulsively exercise when I was in the throes of my ED. I would run for miles on the treadmill every day, and feel guilty if I missed a day, which led to more restricting my caloric intake.
Therefore, I have tried to be very careful about adding exercise back into my routine. I want it to be something I enjoy, not something that I must do. I stopped all exercise for several months, and am only now incorporating yoga into my routine 1-2 times per week.
I also walk around campus, etc, but other than that, no formal exercise for me. Especially no running! -
Yes. I have been seeing a nutritionist weekly for several months now. I am on a plan of breakfast, lunch, dinner, 1 snack, and supplement drinks (like Ensure or Boost) to help me reach and maintain a healthy weight. It is fairly straightforward--we follow the food guide pyramid and keep serving sizes in mind. I do NOT count calories. My nutritionist's motto is "All things in moderation", and we are currently working on adding variety to my diet. I also go out to eat quite often, including fast food. I don't feel the need to eat 100% clean. Health to me is balance, not perfection.
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This is an interesting one. I first heard of the concept of "Ed" after reading Jenni Schaefer's "Life Without Ed" and "Goodbye Ed, Hello Me". I love her concept of referring to her eating disorder as an abusive partner, and I can definitely relate to that.
I, however, don't exactly "hear" a voice in my head. Although I sometimes refer to my eating disorder as "ED", that's basically just shorthand. For me, the negative thoughts and feelings about food and weight are more inner sensations rather than a voice telling me "you're fat!" or "don't eat!".
I have those negative feelings associated with food sometimes, but they are just that--feelings, not "voices".
I completely respect those out there who have "nicknamed" their eating disorders and who like to "talk back" to them. If that helps you, absolutely do it!
Sometimes I'll yell at "Ed" and say "shut up", but for me it is more than just a "voice" in my head--it is a sensation inside my body. I don't have someone "telling" me I'm fat--instead, sometimes I honestly FEEL bigger than I am.
Hope that made sense in some way and that you all don't think I'm crazy! -
Ah, dream jobs.
I always go back and forth in deciding what I'd like to do, but I have a few ideas. Firstly, I'd like to publish at least one book, possibly more. I am currently working on a memoir and I also write poetry.
I would love to have a job writing for a Psychology magazine or a magazine like Yoga Journal.
I would love to be a school psychologist.
I would love to be a mother, which is a tough job!
Basically, I have no idea what I'm going to end up doing. However, I hope it can involve my background in Psychology and Creative Writing. -
That lucky fella is my ex-boyfriend of 2 years. That picture was taken in the summer of 2008 at the beach. We had some wonderful times, and I still consider him a great friend and support person. He has been there for me throughout my recovery, even when I pushed him away and was struggling. I don't know if we'll ever get together again, but I do know that he'll always have a special place in my heart.
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Honestly, it varies. However, I eat 3 meals a day plus at least one snack, usually more. Breakfast favorites include waffles, oatmeal/cereal, and eggs. Lunch favorites include PB&Js, soup & sammies, and apples. Dinner is either something I make for my family or something my mom makes. We are big chicken eaters in our house. For example, tonight we had grilled caribbean jerk chicken with brown rice and mixed veggies, and I had ice cream for dessert. I have dessert every day, usually something small like a couple cookies or some ice cream. I've found in recovery that it is easier for me to indulge in things when I know they are appropriately portioned. I highly recommend those mini Haagan Das ice cream cups from any grocery store (and other brands have them too). I also have a night-time snack every night, usually something like a couple cookies or a granola bar.
Luna bars are another go-to snack. I'm sadly obsessed, and they're portable and easy to bring with me to school! -
I made the mistake of weighing myself several times per day at one point, and sometimes I still struggle with weighing myself at home. However, I highly recommend ditching the scale and being monitored by a doctor or nutritionist. I currently get weighed once a week by my nutritionist to make sure I am on track. Eventually, once I am stable for awhile, I'd like to ditch the scale altogether!
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Thank you so much! I make my share of mistakes in recovery (as I'm sure we all do), but I am so grateful for your kind words and support!
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