[tripcode]

Hmm. So, two years ago, I actually had a full-blown ED...never went to get help for it because I covered it VERY well, and eventually I either overcame it or it just subsided; I don't really know where it went, and quite frankly, I'm not entirely sure it ever went away. I actually think it may be a "side effect" of depression. When I get depressed, my eating becomes disordered. When I'm happy, I don't give a ***** what I eat, but more often than not, I feel bad for eating things. Even right now, I feel horrible for the beer I just had. Although, eventually, after enough beers, I feel much less horrible about it...
Anyway...every time I get upset or depressed, this is my automatic reaction. I'm not like this all the time, just when things are going wrong - which is more and more often these days. I dropped a lot of weight in a very short time last week after my bf dumped me. I just felt like ****, and didn't eat, and not in the way that I lost my appetite, but more that I was still hungry, I just denied myself food. I had someone tell me once that I was bulimic because I self-restrict and work out, then "binge" (I don't usually binge, I just eat like everyone else for awhile). I don't feel that is accurate. I feel like I have an inner anorexic who sometimes gets to take the wheel with my body and emotions.
I guess my point to all this is, how do I treat this? It isn't all the time, just when I'm upset. Problem is, life is always going to have ups and downs, and I really do NOT handle stress and emotions well. AT ALL. But this isn't really severe enough to seek therapy, imho. I'm nervous about the idea of therapy anyway. I'm even afraid to seek treatment for my ADD because I used to use my meds to fuel my workouts and keep myself from eating. So I guess that leaves me with trying to self-treat my depression and ADD and keep my emotions stable. Any ideas. insight, or advice?

[HealingTimes]

The only advice i can give you is to get professional help from a doctor and therapist.

You said that you're not sure it ever went away..maybe it wasn't as 'active' but it was still there? I have times when my ED is less active, but that doesn't mean i am cured or the problem has gone away.

Yes, life WILL have ups and downs, so you need to get this ED dealt with.

Good luck

[eskielover]

That sounds very much what I go through & have had such serious things last so long I lost too much weight & ended up medically hospitalized with central line & iv nutrition. When things are ok inn life so is eating & weight(mostly). I get so stressed ca,t eat as food tastes horrible feel sick & smell of food disgusting...

T helps me just force myself to eat reminding we all have to things we don't want to do at times for our own wellness...dbt calls it opposite action urge.

It was still called anorexia when I was in the hospital..t's know I deal with this & looking back at childhood studying for tests or stressful times with relationships were always accompanied by major weight loss...just how my
mind & body react && I have to protect myself against this
.....not easy

[ar2004]

I know it can be very scary to open up to someone about what is going on in your life but a therapist might be able to help. At the very least, a therapist is someone who can listen to you without judging and I am sure most of us don't have many people in our circle of friends and family who can provide non-judgmental advice or solutions. I decided to see a therapist to talk through the stressful situation that happened earlier this summer. It took me several weeks to work up the courage to find a therapist and I kept thinking that my situation wasn't serious enough for therapy. So far after two months, I have found therapy to be really helpful even though I am still nervous to open up about such personal issues.

I was finally able to open up about my eating problem to someone for the first time. I have struggled off and on with anorexia-like symptoms since I was 14 (I am now 31) but never told anyone and always thought I had it under control. I thought that if I talked through what happened earlier this summer then the eating problem would go away but it has not so I know there is a real possibility I will be diagnosed with an ED which is very scary. But I guess the more scary thing would be continuing to suffer silently.

You are not alone! I hope you can find the courage to seek support from a professional. They are there to help. You will know if the therapist you choose is a good fit if you trust your intuition.