To ask if it sounds like I have an eating disorder?

[IAmInAState]

About five years ago I started making myself sick when I felt like I had eaten too much. This only really happened about once or twice a week at first but over the years it's just gotten worse.

I will eat a lot of food in one go and and will then make myself throw up. I have never cut food out or starved myself or used laxatives or anything like that. How often I do this varies and it can be several times a week to not doing at all for a few weeks until I start again.

I know it's bad for me and it's an unhealthy habit but it's like I can't stop.

I think it's a problem but I'm not sure I would call it an eating disorder. For starters I don't look sick or unhealthy. I am not skinny at all either. I look fine. People who know me would have no idea that I do this as I look healthy. When you see articles on eating disorders all the pictures always show people who are very clearly unhealthy, very skinny and ill looking. I don't look like that at all.

So I don't know how I could have an eating disorder in that case. I just know what I do isn't normal and that's why I haven't told anyone .

[britbat]

Yes, this is an eating disorder, it is called bulimia. See your GP.

[Mrsjayy]

Making yourself sick isn't right is it not really eating disorders dont follow a pattern as such and not everybody is skinny and ill looking I think you should visit your Gp for advice

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Yes op, it does sound like you do. It sounds like bulimia, sufferers are more likely to maintain a healthy weight than anorexics but that doesn't mean the health implications are less serious.

It's a horrible illness and I feel for you.

Do you feel able to speak to your GP at the moment? They won't dismiss you in any way if you tell them what you have put in the above post.

[Sleepwhenidie]

Yes it is an eating disorder, you will be damaging your health even if you can't see signs of it yet and you should see your GP. There is also a board for Eating Disorders in Health topic if you want to chat to others in a similar situation.

[SophiaPetrillo]

Your're bulimic and you're in denial. You need to seek help for this, it's a horrible disorder and can cause severe dehydration and ultimately heart failure as well as lesser problems like tooth decay, mouth ulcers and acid reflux. Please seek help now. Good luck OP.

[skylark2]

Yes.

You also should go back and reread your post. People who think they look healthy don't go on and on about it, multiple times in one paragraph - they don't mention it at all.

[Bunbaker]

I am not an expert, but it sounds very unhealthy to me. Apart from anything else the gastric acid from your vomit will erode the enamel on your teeth and damage them.

Full information here

[AmserGwin]

Why are you throwing it up? So you don't put weight on? Yes you have got an eating disorder. I used to do this a lot, but have managed to stop now as I know it's really bad for you (my teeth are awful). See your GP before it gets worse

[IAmInAState]

I'm worried if I go in there and explain what I've been doing I won't be taken seriously because of the fact I don't look ill and am not underweight.

How do you even start explaining a problem like this out loud?

[SophiaPetrillo]

Just use the words you've used in the OP, be honest and explain what you've been doing. Most bulimics look "normal weight", the tell-tale signs are bad teeth and a whiff of vomit around them, also bloodshot eyes. You are severely damaging your body. Go to the GP, it's not going to be the first time they've encountered a bulimic in denial.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Bulimia isn't typified by very low body weight. So that's a non-issue with regard to soeaking to a GP.

You start by making up your mind to do it and explaining to the GP as best you can. They will ask you questions, you won't be expected to speak for 10 minutes explaining the ins and outs.

[AesSedai]

If you don't know how to tell your GP out loud, then print off your OP and show it to him. That will tell him all he needs to know.

Please please don't ignore it and think it will go away. It won't.

[IAmInAState]

skylark2 I mean I look healthy in that I'm not skinny. I'm about 5'2 and my weight tends to flucuate between 8 and a half stone and 9 stone. If you saw me in the street you would have no idea about my unhealthy habits. I certainly do not look like those very skinnu and very ill looking women that are always shown when the subject of eating disorders comes up.

[IAmInAState]

^skinny.

[OTheHugeManatee]

Yup. You have an eating disorder.

[SophiaPetrillo]

This will be my final post on this thread.

Yes, you have an eating disorder, it is called bulimia. Your current weight is irrelevant. You are not healthy, despite appearances. You are risking your health on a daily basis. You have to see a GP and tell them what you have been doing. Many others forum members have said the same thing, stop looking for ways to ignore them.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Much of the coverage of eating disorders seems to focus on anorexia but that doesn't mean other disorders don't exist. Please go and see your GP, you are doing yourself harm even if you aren't yet seeing the effects.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Here is an example of a healthy looking woman who battled bulimia
www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/news/jane-fonda-on-exercise-and-bulimia

She doesn't look like the very skinny ill looking women either.

[madsadbad]

Iam
One of my friends is bulimic, she is about a size 14, she has already has lots of serious health problems from this.
Go and speak to someone.

[Mrsjayy]

Your weight and how you look doesn't matter you are eating enough to sustain weiight I really can't give anymore advice because I don't know enough tell the Dr what you said in your post it was very clear. But as I said making yourself sick to get rid of food to make yourself feel better isn't right you need help

[Gen35]

Yes it's bulimia, I used to have it, there's an eating disorders section if you want to post there. I was ashamed to be bulimic, many of us took ages to go see the Dr about it. I used to wish I was anorexic as I felt they had more control. It's all disordered thinking, you do need to get help, normal people don't frequently make themselves sick.

[IAmInAState]

Well my GP surgery is closed now so I can't make an appointment until tomorrow. Do I just go in there and say "I think I am bulimic". Then what happens?

Also I have a phobia of needles, will he went to do blood tests?

[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle]

OP, the question to ask yourself is can you stop doing it? if the answer is yes, then fine, stop. but if the answer is no, then you have a compulsion and you need help to stop. your gp will be able to advise.

[IAmInAState]

madsadbad I notice a get tired a lot. Could that be related?

[IAmInAState]

TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle I don't know how to stop .

Will he weigh me?