Quote From: desharkmomAs weird as it seems, I have a good idea of what these ladies are going through. I never thought I would have a middle-aged eating disorder until my life started falling apart. Last year I weighed about 135# at 5'6", now I'm down to 90-95#. I don't really have anorexia, I get really hungry but just can't seem to let myself eat. I look in the mirror and I know I look terrible but it still doesn't make any difference. I can't find any pants that fit, which is totally frustrating but that doesn't help either. I think it's just because my life is spinning out of controll - my husband took a job that requires him to travel 40+ weeks a year, my daugter moved away, my mother and mother-in-law are both dying of cancer and both live very close to me. My best friend died of cancer and my siblings live in distant states. My whole support system has vanished out from under me. I also have multiple sclerosis which plagues me on a daily basis and over the last few months I've acquired a stalker who has caused multiple small problems but I've also had 2 dog poisonings, at least 4 death threats and been stabbed once. The police department has been totally uninterested so we are thinking about leaving the city where we were both born and raised. So, the only thing I feel that I have any controll over is my own weight. It's amazing how something can start as "losing a few pounds" and turn into a runaway train. i will be watching the show with great interest to see what Dr. Phil can suggest. I really want to get my life back on track and I need some help from somewhere before this goes to far. Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for sharing your story.......to me it does not seem weird that you understand what these women are going through. I can relate to what you are saying. About 5 years ago, I was ill (doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong) and due to this and the stress of my work situation, I developed firstly depression and then anorexia. It started with the stress causing decreased appetite and then was quickly followed by the ED (particularly anorexic) thoughts and behaviours. Two things I want you to realise is that......"anorectics" do get really hungry..... and .....one of the biggest triggers for anorexia is stress (which you seem to have more than your fair share of). And you are using food/eating to try and alleviate/control the stress in your life..... that is an eating disorder.
So please don't dismiss your symptoms and say " I don't really have anorexia", please go to your doctor and get diagnosed (for whatever ED you do have), and I wish you all the best in fighting this.
BTW, I am now in recovery at a healthy weight with alot less stress in my life :)
