Hi please help!

[brightbronzexo]

I'm 26 5'5 and only 105 pounds, I always go a whole day without eating, then I'll eat probably 2 bites of food and then I can't eat anymore, I feel like I'm going to vomit. Eating honestly always feels like a chore...i dread eating...i wish I can eat so i can gain weight and look/ be healthy. But how when i can't eat! My face is so skinny my eyes are beginning to get dark around them...idk what to do. Do i have an eating disorder?

[MEJones]

Hi brightbronzexo

Really sorry to hear how hard eating is for you. Can I ask if you don’t eat because the idea of food scares you or if you don’t eat because of the feeling unwell when you do?

When you go all day without eating is it a concious decision or again down to the fact you feel too unwell to eat?

It must be really difficult to try to eat when you’re suffering with physical symptoms, could you try to have something such as a smoothie or a milkshake? This would mean just sipping it slowly instead of having to chew & also taking in more nutrients and calories.

The fact that you’re seeking help is a good thing, whether it’s an eating disorder or down to a physical ailment it’s important that you’ve realised you need to gain weight.

You can gain weight and overcome your issues, it does sound like there is an eating disorder here that’s most likely related to the feeling unwell when you eat.

Don’t be too dispondent as there is always a way forward x x 😊

[brightbronzexo in reply to MEJones]

I knowingly will go all day without eating, and when I think of food I get a nausea feeling. It's not that food scares me, I just don't want to eat. I hope I'm making sense this whole thing is so weird smh and it's really taking a toll on me! I want to gain weight and be happy so bad. I hate how I look 😔

[23me in reply to brightbronzexo]

Please please seek medical assistance..this does sound like an ed but they can check to make sure there are no underlying physical issues...that said I want to say it’s great that u recognise ur underweight and that u want change.. it will be hard fear is a battle we all face one way or another.. and this anxiety can raise many physical symptoms espcailly sickness indigestion increase of stomach acid ibs to hot flushes sweats etc..these symptoms make everything a bit more of a problem!this maybe you are suffering the sickness feelings?? Can I ask how long this has gone on not eating within the day?? Reason being it could be because ur body’s stomach has reduced in size hence it’s not used to being oven food.. plus the weakness of ur internal muscles and organs are probably struggling to work.. sadly ed is not just about eating mal- nutrition cause brain fuzz shrinking of the brain and weakening of other organs heart lungs liver kidney.. do u have someone whom u trust who you could talk to and get help and support? Another thing that might help is writing a list of the reasons u are aiming to increase to become healthy-things like I hate my sunken cheek bones, the protruding veins to things like I want to wear summer clothes or so swimming in the sea.. anything that u personally want that’s important to u.. keep this near.. and especially at meal times..

with regards to meal times u need to increase slowly in manageable stages.. have realistic goals that are achievable so instead of 2 mouthfuls aim for three— never underestimate how much a simple step can have.. just by increaseing one spoon will give u back a sence of control which is truly exillerating, giving u confidence and strength.. do this for a week and when u are comfortable try four, baby steps this way things become more manageable oh and don’t forget to treat self when u have achieved a goal.. it’s also an idea to choose weight increase targets which also r achievable.. no point saying Ishould be *** amount when that is light years away .. maybe have that as end goal but have a much more attainable goals in the imenent future!

Another thing I would suggest is distraction of ur thoughts so when they are over whelmed they will be then try to accept this is nature and do a puzzle book, speak to a freind, plan an outing shopping anything to focus on and every time these scary thoughts bowl u over.. refocus on what u are trying to do.. don’t let this beat you.. life is prescious and you are so young still don’t ruin it like I did! Xx good luck 💐 And hope that helps ☺️

[MEJones in reply to brightbronzexo]

It seems like your fear of the nausea is making you anxious which then means you avaiid eating as you’re trying to stop yourself from feeling sick.

I think a trip to your GP could be really beneficial, 1) so they could rule out any physical reasons you may be feeling sick & 2) put you in contact with someone who could help you break down the psychological barriers.

If you can, try to give some high calorie shakes or smoothies as these can help you maintain your weight whilst you’re still going through the sickness, it might also be a good idea to try eating foods that are usually used as cures for sickness such as weetabix, brown toast, ginger nut biscuits, these foods are bland but should be ok for your stomach to digest. If you can manage these without the sickness feeling coming on then you could try adding other foods too.

I know it’s really disheartening and hard to see yourself looking so unlike yourself but it can be fixed so don’t give up hope. x x

[crazycrossstitcher]

Suggest you visit your GP to get a thorough check out to make sure there are no physical problems - if food makes you feel sick. Whether you have an ED or not it is important that you get some help as starving all day and then hardly eating is going to have long term health issues for you - so do please seek some medical help.