Is this normal????

Hi Imomo66,
Is it normal? No, definitely not. Is it common? Yes, unfortunately. Is it something to be concerned about? Yes!

Every behavior has a purpose, meets a need, is a comfort in some way. You've developed a "skill" to manage something else in your world that seems unmanagable. Maybe the stress of school, someone commented on your appearance, suffering some sort of abuse or trauma. It's easy to say, "Oh, I just wanted to lose weight and be thin." But there's something driving your need to lose weight to an extreme. THAT is where you start soul searching. Consider that there are so many healthy ways to lose weight, yet for some real reason, you chose one of the hardest, most dangerous ways. Why?

Also, be aware that eating disorders are VERY addictive. Your body will crave purging after you eat even if you don't want to. (I speak from experience.) It throws all of your body chemistry out of whack. It thinks your starving so it wants to gather up all of the calories it can. Hence craving sugary, carb heavy, and salty foods. The "good for you" foods just don't have the punch to your system like junk food.

You're probably dehydrated. If you continue to purge, make sure to replace the fluids you lose. Preferrably something with electrolytes, like Gatoraid. Also, add a B complex vitamin to your day. You'll feel much, much better if you can. Eat potassium rich foods bc your probably running on empty. Potassium is the stuff of life. Don't take it lightly.

If you still have control over whether/when you purge, STOP IT. If for the sole reason is saving your teeth. That's no myth. When you purge, your digestive juices attach to whatever organic thing they can. That's what they're designed to do. And they will try to digest your teeth! I've had two teeth pulled and have a least one filling in every tooth, some have two fillings. One of my teeth has a crack caused no doubt by weakening enamel. I can barely stand to chew on that side, now. My dental care is off the charts financially stupid. A filling costs $125, to get a tooth pulled $300. Eventually I'll need a partial, and I know those are up around the $1000 mark. And this is with having my teeth cleaned twice yearly (which cost $85.) Everytime I sit in that chair, I just wait for that pointy tool they use to check for holes to "stick." That spells another filling.

Oh, you probaly already know this, but cavities hurt. There will be a day you'll wake up with your face throbbing. Also, you're teeth will get super sensitive; hot and cold things feel like daggers to your teeth.

Jurrian (Jurplesman) might have some useful advice. Hopefully he'll chime in.

Hi lmomo666,

I'm sorry that you're having this unhealthy relationship with food and that this is affecting you and your life so much.

When I was your age, I used to have food disorders as well.
I simply wanted to have a different body but I was choosing the wrong way to do that.

There's nothing bad in wishing to be beautiful but I'd suggest you to try a different approach and to set realistic goals.
You can certainly be at your best, healthy, beautiful shape if you lovingly and patiently work on it ( note that losing weight too fast or fighting your sense of hunger to see fast results would eventually result counterproductive!!).

In order to have a smooth, silky, beautiful skin you need lots of fresh veggies and sweet delicious fruits. You can learn to like them.
Some junk food here and there is fine but if your diet is just based on them, I'm sure you understand very well that this will have an impact of the beauty of your body ( not just the weight, you might think you can control the weight with bad habits like "purging" or "starving" but the beauty of your skin, your hair, the color of your face would be severely damaged, are you sure you want that? )

When I was a teenager like you I never thought about doing any sport but now I know it's very important as well as very enjoyable for both body and mind.
Your body will love to be moved around, your muscles and your skin will be delighted!
Your mind as well, will be very relaxed and satisfied during and after the sport session and you'll naturally stop cravings for junk food.
You will feel so good and in control again. And this is I'm sure is something you want for yourself right now.

So, I recommend you to try doing some sport. Try something that tickles your curiosity until you find the sport that you enjoy the most, so that you can take care of your body and shape it while you're having fun!
For me going to the gym and using machines as well as running - at my own pace and with my favorite music - helped me a lot in overcoming a bad body image I had and the anxiety that was eventually leading me to binge.

Hope these tips can help.

No. Its not normal it will affect your nutrition especially your electrolytes.

Don't be conscious about your figure that much and a piece of advice visit a dietitian or a physician that will help you to have a balance diet and guide you properly.

lmomo666 wrote:Im not sure i have an eating disorder or not, i have lost interest in eating meat, i dont enjoy vegetables i eat junk food but i feel bad after words, i check how many calories there are in the food i eat, i purge the food i eat at dinner, i have been doing this once a day. i want to lose weight rapidly. My hands and feet turn purple and sometimes have a numb tingling feeling.i look for thinspiration and have a food log. i have fasted and dieted before. About 2 years ago i weighed roughly 139 im 5'3 i consider myself as slightly over weight i plan to be at least 120 but im not sure how much i weigh because i dont have a scale and if i did i would be afraid to check that i have gained instead of lost weight. i have trouble sleeping at night and im tired in the day. After i purge i take a shower and i become very sleepy. i eat anything i like but i fear that if i keep it in my stomach too long it will be digested and all the calories will sink in my body causing my to swell up.i cant stop looking at pro ana sites and reading books about eating disorders. is this normal in a 17 year old girl?

Just understand that most guys like girls with a litle curves. Just look at the sex industry.

It is my opinion that the fashion industry mostly driven by very influential gay guys who really like girls who look like boys are the root cause for this problem in the west.

Just know that most men like you with some healthy looking curves.


Don’t give in to this nonsense that the media is rushing in on you. Just look at early pictures of Sara Jessica parker and the skinny wench she is now. There are so many examples.