Hi comfortmarie...what a interesting user name. I'm ancient compared to your age but struggle with food issues. I tend to be more bulemic but think there is a lot in common with both disorders. There hasn't been too much posting here lately. This is such an emotional issue and very difficult to discuss. I admire your courage in speaking out. I hope you are getting some therapy. I know I need help to control my bulemia. I've been following the Sugar Busters program. I have to learn how to eat like a normal person again. I just wanted to say hello.. I'm sure there are a lot of great sites for anorexia and I'm going to do a little search to try to find a good bulemia group as well. Take care sweety and know you are not alone...Lori

Baby,

I am 55 years old and have been an anorexic all my life. It never leaves you. You have to know where it is coming from. It is really a control thing. When your life is otherwise out of control with things you can't change that's when you strugle with it. At 2 points in my life I have wasted away to nothing because food is the only thing I could control. Although I felt terrific at the time, let me tell you what it does to your body. When your body is looking for fat and can't find it, it attacks your muscle tissue. Hard to replace! Remember, your heart is a muscle. It took me about 40 years to learn to deal with it. Like I said before, it is always with you. The minute you gain 5 pounds you feel guilty no matter how skinny you are. I found exercise really helped me but you have to eat and if you walk or run you can eat just about anything you want and still stay skinny. It is easy not to eat but find out about nutrition and try to direct your disorder to a healthy area. Good luck.

marie

I would suggest seeing a doctor.

Anorexia/Bulimia are diseases. It's basically when a person has a distorted view of their body everytime they look in the mirror.. (example : they are 120 lbs and see 200 lbs)

so what they do? they don't eat or throw up everything thinking it will make them better

If you visit the local hospital in your area you can get into programs where they will help you get past that and get back to normal eating. after they do that.. then all you gotta do is diet and exercise

Hey,

I also suffer from anorexia. I am just a little older then you, 18. I've had an eating disorder for the past 4 years and have been both anorexic and bulimic and im still currently struggling with anorexia. If you need any help or anyone to talk with who understands my e-mail is [email protected]. I have been through a lot of programs, I think its a matter of finding whats right for you. When I first realized I was sick I went to many hospitals and found the doctors quite ignorant on the subject and un-understanding which turned me away from the professional help. Then my parents sent me to Stanfords eating disorder program which I found more professionals who werent overly sympathetic. I am sure however many people have had succesful results with it and am in no way advising you not to go. I wish I had stuck the program out cause then maybe I wouldnt still be struggling. Eventually I looked to my family for the support I needed and began making baby steps towards recovery although relapse has occured many times.

In the long run it took me hearing from the doctors that I could die and even though at the time I was proud of being only 14 percent body fat I still thought I was fat. I definetly recomend finding a good therapist who knows about eating disorders because the right therapist has been beyong helpful . Support from family and friends and even people you meet online is also really helpful from what I've found.


Good luck with everything. No one should have to live with an eatng disorder, its no way to live.

Hi...

I'm anorexic... I've been COE physically and anorexic mentally for about two years, and I've narrowed it down to just anorexic now. It's a struggle every day, but it's my life.

K.

Hi, comfort!

Its good to see someone familiar here! Hope you are taking care of yourself sweetheart and Im sure I'll see you around!

I am also anorexic. I recommend the something fishy website (do a search, I forgot the url) and they have many many great links. Also there is a mirror mirror website that is helpful. (again, I forgot the url.)

The earlier you catch it, the better your chances are of recovery and living a healthy, happy life. My eating disorder was ignored and so I've lived with it. Recovery is a very difficult process for me now -- I've created habits and patterns of eating that are hard to change. But at 17, 18, even in your twenties, the earlier the better to get help. But always always get help. These disorders are complicated and food or restricting intake is just a way of managing something much more complex that will take a while (and help) to figure out. Usually there are emotional problems and deep issues. Find a compassionate, knowledgeable therapist. I recommend a psychologist, or at least someone with a Masters' degree -- some therapists even specialize in eating disorders.

The toll anorexia takes on your body, on your life is not worth it. My body cannot manufacture Carnatine and I got very very sick because of it. I thought I was dying. Luckily I came upon a pain specialist who recognized this rare deficiency. I will have to take supplements for the rest of my life. But this is a small issue compared to what else can happen. I'm not really sure how damaged my body is. I try to be careful... but I am anorexic. And I want to be well. I haven't found the bridge yet. Only things that help.

On a positive note, I've taught former anorexics -- college students -- who suffer for a few years, get help, and recover comepletely. So, the sooner the better.

I find yoga and meditation very helpful. Yoga makes me love my body. It makes me come home and cook healthy nourishing meals for myself. It is a real healer, if you can find a good teacher and a good class. I don't recommend Ashtanga or that "hot" yoga (unhealthy, especially if you are prone to dehydration, which anorexics are, among other things) or any kind of power yoga class. No yoga for weight loss. Wait on Kundalini yoga as well -- it is very strenuous in ways the anorexic body can't really take. Take some variety of a hatha yoga class with a teacher who is spiritually oriented, who is kind and compassionate, who practices what she or he teaches. Someone who can guide you, who is a good teacher. Yoga has helped me, healed me in many ways.