[ladybug8320]

I am 21 years old and I am not sure if I have an eating disorder. I go to different web sites and I seem to have all the symptoms. I am already having certain health problems like slow heart rate, dizzieness, stomach problems, ect.... I take diet pills and just now started using water pills. There is not a minute out of everyday that I dont think about calories and carbs. There are some days that I through up 3 times a day give or take. I looked up bulimia and it seems I have some symptoms, but I dont eat that much. I try to keep my calories under 600 a day. If I feel I go over than most of the time I will make myself through up. I have lost 17 lbs in the last 5 months. I weigh myself all through out the day and I am still at my normal body weight. I'm 5 8" and 137lbs. This has been going on for about 1 year. It just has really got bad the last 4 to 5 months. I am really confused and don't know if it is just all in my head or is there really something wrong with me?

[Rapunzel]

If something is bothering you, you should see someone about it. You know, that's really the most important part of the criteria for any disorder - basically that it bothers you and/or interferes with your ability to go about your business and live your life as you would like to do. That said, the criteria for bulimia don't require that you eat a lot or are over-or under-weight. People who have bulimia can be any weight. The main point is the things that you do in order to avoid being affected by the food you consume, which can include any number of things - diet pills, excessive exercise, etc. Any of those things are harmful to you, and they get out of control and very difficult to stop on your own. You already are reporting physical symptoms. Please talk to a professional about it. There's more to life than you can get when worries about food start to consume you.

You know what else? You are worth getting help. A lot of us tend to think that we need to be really bad, or at least worse than someone else in order to get help. But I bet that if a friend went to you asking if she should get help with the same symptoms you have, you would encourage her to get it.

((((((((Hugs)))))))) if you want them.

[nothemama8]

Ladybug Im glad you posted, keep on posting and everyone here will support you 100%, very loving ppl here
((((((Hugs))))))

[Kayleigh]

Under 600 calories a day?! Honey, my LUNCH has more than that! Some people just don't have it in them to be stick thin... starving yourself IS NOT a good thing to do. From what I understand, you are never supposed to drop below 1,200. Honestly, you might have severely slowed your metabolism. I know that sounds a little crazy, because eating less should mean you'll get skinner... but I ate, like, nothing fall quarter and after I lost 10 lbs, I started gaining the weight back! I think b/c my metabolism slowed down so much, but then I ate like a little piggy over christmas break and my weight picked up a little, then dropped and stablized after I started eating like a normal person again. I think you should focus on MAINTAINING your healthy weight, rather than being underweight! If you need help to start eating right again, GET IT!! I think we all just want you to be healthy!

[NoLeafClover]

Hi,My name is Theresa,im 21 also.You seem to be in the same boat as me.Yes you most likely have an Eating Disorder.Remember though Bulimia isnt about the purging,Binge eating is what actually defines it.You are probably like me EDNOS(eating disorder not other wise specified)Its when you dont fit into one or the other.For example you purge but dont binge or you have anorexic behaviors but still have your period or are still normal weight.It doesnt mean you dont have an eating disorder.And most importantly YOU DONT HAVE TO BE 100lbs TO HAVE AN ED.Im actually slightlyover weight and purge all the time,starve myself,take laxitives and diet pills,and over exercise.But if someone one the street looked at me they would never think eating disorder.but I do.Dont mean to scare you or anything just want you to understand.If you wanna talk im allways here.

[ladybug8320]

WOW!! This has really helped me understand more about myself. I had so many questions that would just run through my head all day long. I felt alone like know one would really understand, because I wasnt sure if it was anorexia or bulimia or what. Thank you all!!!!

[Leslie]

(((((((((((((((ladybug))))))))))))))))))

It sounds like you do need help. Please get it now before it takes over totally and you feel trapped in a bad ED situation.

Take care,
Leslie

[silver_queen]

If you're suffering from poor health as a result of your restricted intake, then it suggests that you may have an eating disorder. Have you tried taking any of the quizzes on EDs posted here at Psych Central? They may give you some idea of your position in this.

[silver_queen]

The quizzes are: Eating Disorder Quiz and Eating Attitudes Test.

[(JD)]

Welcome Ladybug! I assumed 1 was yes and 2 was no...???? Your compulsion to check and doublecheck and your worries and watching... um yeah... your eating is DIS ordered your thinking about food is DISordered... see my point? It isn't quite the norm to be so concerned... OK? good catch.

[lostangel]

I am not sure if you do. But it does sound like you may have it or the start of it. I don't understand why we have to be so worry about our weight I am so sick of people telling you that you should put the weight on and or lost the weight. Me when I was a teen I could not put the weight on but I would eat and eat. Now. I have to watch what I eat because I put the weight on and after having kids it makes it harder. So. You may have it.

[alliecat]

Ladybug, please seek help now! All the symptoms only get worse. You don't want to feel like that. There are other healthy dieting alternatives. Maybe you should think about talking to a dietician.

[gloria]

HERE IS MY TAKE:
1- diet pills and now water pills.
2- How many calories a day? !!!
3- You throw up some times more than three times.
4- There isn't a day you are not worry about carbs and calories.
5- Recent loss weight, escalating the last few months...

the combinations of this things (not just one thing) leads me to believe that even I don't know what the label for your eating disorder is, it sure sounds like there is one.