Do you think eating disorders are addictions?

I have suffered from anorexia and bulimia for many years. I did stop last year because I was pregnant and now my baby boy is 11 months old and I was doing pretty good. Now I am starving myself again and when I do eat something that is not on my list of things I allow myself I go in the bathroom and purge. I tell my husband I am taking a shower and run the water so he does not hear. Tonight he made chile and I had some because he was so proud of himself for making it and I didn't want to hurt his feelings so I ate it and then purged. I try to eat one orange in morning, one orange in the afternoon and then play around with dinner, just a bite or two. He gets really mad when he catches me but I can't stop. I isolated myself in my eating disorder for years before I met him and I get something out of it, I feel empowered. Does anyone else do this?

YES! it is an addiction! Over eating is the most common form of eating disorders. They even have a 12 step group for it called "Overeaters Anonymous". Anorexia and bulimia are also addictions. Very severe and life threatening addictions! Starving your body robs your brain/muscles/organs of essential vitamins and minerals they need to function properly. It also causes your body to break down muscle to burn for energy. In the long term, you can cause permanent damage to your body and brain. You need to seek medical attention as soon as possible! Your doctor can refer you to someone who can help you regain your health as well as someone who can also help you discover the psychological reasons behind your eating disorder. Please get help soon! You have to be healthy and ALIVE to take care of that baby you have!

Good luck!

I do not do this, but with a child this isnt healthy, I dont recomend doing ti while hes in the house, my brother saw my older brother pukeing often when he was around 2 and thought it was necesary now hes gotten into a habbit, PLease dont let this happen... Have your husband help you.. pick certain foods and certains times of the day when you think you'll be most hungry and just go to the bathroom regularily try not to 'purge' at all for the next two weeks, set goals.. it help.. my older brother is now over belimia but hes badly annorexic and hes not proud of it... =^-^= <3 good luck.....

You need to think of your baby boy and husband...if you keep this up you may not be around long enough to see your son off to kindergarten. It is very dangerous to yourself and your marriage and your relationship with your son. How is his self image going to be growing up, if his mom goes to the bathroom and pukes after every meal? I think eating disorders are addictions, but I also think that they are selfish. You need to get help and you need to think of others, not just yourself because your actions are hurting the ones you love whether you know it or not. Stop this before it scars someone you love.

I do not have eating disorders but i do choose to eat healthier .being bulumic is whorse when you are you dont get all the fat out of your body you only get half of it. for breakfast you shold have two scrambled eggs made on water(water used instead of oil) dont throw it up! for lunch:an orange for dinner:a pice of chicken breast with nothing on it 100 percent natural and some peas, belive me i eat that way and am lean.FORget about your husband im honest with my folks and tell them i cant eat certain foods. my dad takes a long time to make steak and is proud of it and i ask for shrimps instead and he excepts me for who i am not for what i eat. tell your husband his food is great but you got your own opinion on food and would like to make a different meal for yourself. if he get mad tell him"Its just food i dont forth you to eat carrots or watever healthy food he dosen't like"And try the new schedule above belive me you wont gain weight you'll just be healthier and drink some fat free milk for the babby!

DEFINITELY an addiction. I have struggled with both (along with drugs and alcohol) all my life. Just when I would start working SO HARD on the drugs & alcohol, the anorexia & bulimia would really kick in. All I was doing was trading one for the other (I learned after MANY times in rehab). I was in 2 different eating disorder clinics also, so YES, it is an addiction. You need to get help sweetie (and that's not to sound mean at all!!) It took me many years and many relationships to get where I am at now and I am still reminded of it constantly (things like did you know that the palque on your teeth wears off more & more each and every time you purge?) The acid from throwing up wears on your teeth. Every dentist I have gone to has noticed. I have damaged my esophagus and have ulcers from the disorders.

Oh please get help... do it for YOURSELF because your family loves you and I know you love them too!!

(Email me anytime!!)

:-)

I do it all the time. I have a boyfriend now, and its so hard for me, because when I want to sit in my room, and count and recount my cal. for the day, or excersize hes calling. He always wants to go out to eat, and I just cant. One time I did and so I had to purge afterwards. I always bring a toothbrush with me, but being around him afterwards...idk..I just felt so gross. so I completley understand, but you really do need to find a way to stop, (WAY easier said then done I know!) but you have to do it for your son. my friend Janeles mom was bulemic and it really screwed Janele up. not noly with her being bulemic, just her thoughts about mothers and idk... its just that eating disorders are soo scary, they can really mess you up, and Id never want anyone to pick up an e.d. from me. Id hate myself more than I already do