[Albatross2008]

Trigger warning; I'm talking about my specific behavior.

I'm kind of complicated.

I am medically overweight and diabetic, but unlike what some people think, this is NOT because I do nothing but sit around and eat all day. Nor does my whole life revolve around food. I have binge-starve cycles. I go through periods where I think I don't have any right to eat, and I'm so ashamed of myself, and I want to get the weight off now so I can feel like a worthwhile person. I've tried so hard to eat healthy, but my size doesn't change at all. When I'm in this mindset, I eat as little as possible. The hunger builds up, and then I have bouts of overeating. I often find I can keep that under control if I pay the most attention to not skipping meals. Then I can't use the excuse of "Well, I haven't eaten since yesterday," to stuff myself.

Some people say that Binge-Eating Disorder is another way of saying compulsive overeating. But with me it's cyclical rather than constant.

Bulimia is when you stuff yourself and then purge later. I don't purge in any way, but I suppose the periods of starving myself can be counted as purging? I know that you don't have to be dangerously thin to be bulimic.

Anorexia is prolonged periods of not eating, and I don't get to the point where it's prolonged. I do, however, have the warped body image. I know I am medically overweight, but I look in the mirror and see myself as much larger than I actually am. Another woman who is actually my size can look smaller to me, and another woman who is actually much larger than I am can look about my size.

I don't seem to fit neatly into any of these categories.

But I can't seem to find any information on any eating disorders other than anorexia, bulimia, or BED.

[Albatross2008]

Note, if nobody here knows, does anyone have a suggestion as to who I can ask? Because this isn't the first time I've wondered. I've asked in several other places too, and my question has never been answered.

[writingwithink]

Hi Arbie. I'm sorry you are dealing with this. You would need to speak with a mental health professional to get the type of answer for which you are looking. You could also look at the "Feeding and Eating Disorders" chapter of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which a professional would use to diagnose you. That chapter gives all the criteria for each disorder, and if you can't find it online, you could go to a library or a bookstore and ask to see a copy.

I wish you much peace on your journey.

[eskielover]

It sounds more like disordered eating than amy specific "eating disorder" i would think with diabetis these ways of eating then not eating would be very dangerous. You definitely need someone youbtrustbtobhold you accountable for healthy eating. Nutritionist etc....

I know it can be very difficult to eat healthy....that is what I would focus on more at this point & the rest will take care of itself

[Albatross2008]

Thank you very much for the information.

So basically the three official eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and BED. I don't specifically fit into any of them, but I *do* have disordered eating patterns. Right?

From what I'd read, I'd go with this....disordered eating, yes

[eskielover]

. I don't specifically fit into any of them, but I *do* have disordered eating patterns. Right?

from what you have written YES, disordered eating patterns that definitely need to be addressed especially for your health with diabetis.

Disordered eating can evolve into ED's with time & triggers but most times doesn't.

[Grizabella]

Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (ED NOS) is the other category. A psychiatrist can give you a specific diagnosis.

Note: I think they changed the name of this to Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder. My diagnosis is from before they updated the DSM.

Originally Posted by Arbie

Thank you very much for the information.

So basically the three official eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and BED. I don't specifically fit into any of them, but I *do* have disordered eating patterns. Right?