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This is a discussion on What's Considered an Eating Disorder? within the Eating Disorder Discussion forums,----- Is not being able to control yourself with food considered an ED?...
I would say that is a very accurate way of putting it. I think a lot of people always assume that ED's are only when someone is not eating, or binging/purging, but I think overeating that leads to obesity can also be an ED. Food addictions I think are a form of ED.
I'm no expert, as I am constantly learning more each day....but I think it really depends on what you mean by 'control yourself with food'.
Yes, not being able to stop yourself, even when you want to is a problem...but so is not allowing yourself foods and being TOO restrictive. In my opinion there is no black or white answer...but a whole lot of gray areas.
[url=http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2009/10/the_new_rules_of_clean_eating.php]Orthorexia and The New Rules of Clean Eating - Part 1: Burn The Fat Blog[/url]
There are a few different ways to look at an eating disorder... for most people it usually is a symptom of something else - anxiety, OCD, self esteem.
There is not being able to control how much you eat and being out of control when you eat (or don't eat)... The feeling really is the food takes control of you and no matter how hard you want to stop it you can't. It is not about a break down in will power but rather a break down in the ability to control anything around you.
I guess I never thought of over eating being an ED. I've always thought about bulimia (sp?) or anorexia but not over eating.
For me its knowing that Im full or not even really hungry and just eating to the point where I feel like I could be sick. Or just eating and eating for no reason... followed by the guilt and the self hatred.
I have always been like this with food for as long as I can remember. So how do I control it? When does it stop?
Rosie, I had a friend growing up who had the same issue. She would literally eat until she threw up. It wasn't like bulimia where she would intentional binge and purge. She just couldn't stop herself. We would watch a movie and she would down an entire carton of strawberry ice cream without even looking down to see how much she ate. If we went to a buffet, she would stuff her face and throw up on the way out the door.
I am so sorry you go through this and feel this way. I find myself eating out of boredom and can easily over-eat without second thought. Whenever I find myself going for the fridge when I shouldn't be, I snag a piece of gum or brew a cup of tea. I also find that if I cut my portions in half and eat every two hours, it helps stave off the desire to eat.
I cannot say that I suffer as you do. But, I certainly know the feeling of having the constant desire to eat. I am sure lots of wonderful ladies on here can help you.
I guess I never thought of over eating being an ED. I've always thought about bulimia (sp?) or anorexia but not over eating.
For me its knowing that Im full or not even really hungry and just eating to the point where I feel like I could be sick. Or just eating and eating for no reason... followed by the guilt and the self hatred.
I have always been like this with food for as long as I can remember. So how do I control it? When does it stop?
I have been a binge eating for a long time...only I never really thought it was an ED. Even when I was barely eating to make up for it...since I wasnt 'skinny' I never really thought it was a problem.
What seperates an ED from just a lack of will power or bordom is the psychological reasoning behind it....you need to figure out WHY you do it, in order to get it under control.
Thanks K - working with Olesya is helping. I am eating every two to three hours and yes your right it does help A LOT. The scariest part is when I allow my self to get too hungry that is when the problem starts. I try to always have my meals packed but I still have bad days.
Nic - how did you get the binging under control? Especially with training for your shows.
Its something I still struggle with...I am so good on my diet during my contest prep. I follow the plan to a T but its post comp when I try to allow treat ect...I tend to fall into my binging patterns.
I have been working to deal with the issues that cause me to binge...When I'm prepping I throw myself into my prep so hardcore that it distracts me from dealing with the shit I need to...I need to learn how to live a balanced life and deal with things without the 'all or nothing' approach and thats something I'm dealing with daily. This was the reason I started my off season journal...to help me learn and live life with a healthy balance.
Rosie- I know what you are going through. I've never had an ED per se, but I definitely have gone through those periods of time where I will eat for no reason, and eat HORRIBLY. When I look back, it was mainly when I was working a job I was super stressed at, but I guess that was just part of the problem. I've always been one of those people that will eat it if it is in front of my face... hungry or not. If it looks good, I'll go for it. I would always feel guilty about it too... because it was so stupid... like I didn't NEED to do it. I have always been like that as far as dieting goes... I'd say, diet starts Monday... hahahah LITERALLY... just so that I would feel better about eating anything and everything I wanted during the weekend... but guess what? Monday rolled around and the diet never started, and the pounds kept coming on.
The good news is that I've found that clean eating, and also the lifting lifestyle has made me stop relying on food as a source of fun or comfort. Now it's a matter of eating to get the nutrients I need. I never thought I'd be the person to pass up office cupcakes, but I am now, and it feels damn good. But I have accepted it as a lifestyle, so if I do eat something shitty, I don't kill myself over it.
You'll totally get there!! It's all about changing your mentality and the way you think about food. It can't be a reward. We are all human and life definitely happens. This is why you can't worry about hiccups... because it's just a ripple and not how you normally live your life... and like I love to say... tomorrow is a new day.
Getting healthy can be so mentally challenging in the strangest way. I totally know how you are feeling!
Rosie - there is no one set reason behind an eating disorder. There is what we call disordered eating which is an unhealthy pattern of eating but not necessarily an eating disorder.
I will be putting some items up here in relation to what eating disorders are and are not. There are some times when talking to a professional can help. I had to talk to one - no trainer out there could help. Others can get into a good pattern and not have to talk to a professional. Either way, recognition is the first step and love you have made a huge step in the right direction!
Having an eating disorder is not just about your behaviour when it comes to food. It is how you feel about food, eating and your weight. I have been bulimic for 2 years but when I really think about it, I have had a problem since I was 9 years old. I think that usually if someone feels like something isn't quite right, then there probably is a problem somewhere. EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) is a form of ED that does not quite fit under anorexia, bulimia, COE or BED, and my guess is that it is more common than we think. I am convinced that I have been EDNOS since I was a pre-teen. Hope this helps.
Having an eating disorder is not just about your behaviour when it comes to food. It is how you feel about food, eating and your weight. I have been bulimic for 2 years but when I really think about it, I have had a problem since I was 9 years old. I think that usually if someone feels like something isn't quite right, then there probably is a problem somewhere. EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) is a form of ED that does not quite fit under anorexia, bulimia, COE or BED, and my guess is that it is more common than we think. I am convinced that I have been EDNOS since I was a pre-teen. Hope this helps.
Wow... I would never have thought about any of this quite this way. Thanks so much (everybody) for your input.
EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) is a form of ED that does not quite fit under anorexia, bulimia, COE or BED, and my guess is that it is more common than we think. I am convinced that I have been EDNOS since I was a pre-teen. Hope this helps.
This is me....I can remember having 'issues' with food and my body since I was 6yrs old or so...Its so sad.
Having an eating disorder is not just about your behaviour when it comes to food. It is how you feel about food, eating and your weight. I have been bulimic for 2 years but when I really think about it, I have had a problem since I was 9 years old. I think that usually if someone feels like something isn't quite right, then there probably is a problem somewhere. EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) is a form of ED that does not quite fit under anorexia, bulimia, COE or BED, and my guess is that it is more common than we think. I am convinced that I have been EDNOS since I was a pre-teen. Hope this helps.
I agree completely. I have never binged/purged or starved myself, but I can remember obsessing about my weight since I was in high school!! BARF!!
Yeah...I'm here with ya Cait and Nic. I grew up in ballet, and recall all the girls dieting to fit into tutus at age 8,9, you know. I've had this habits engrained in my head for quite some time now!
Yeah...I'm here with ya Cait and Nic. I grew up in ballet, and recall all the girls dieting to fit into tutus at age 8,9, you know. I've had this habits engrained in my head for quite some time now!
I never did any 'organized' activity when I was a kid...no dance, sports ect but I can very vividly remember not wanting to go swimming and stuff like that when I was little because I was chunky in my bathing suit and my friends werent....and I was only in like 1st grade when it started!
I have an 8y/o neice and I tell her all the time how beautiful she is...she is not fat, but that cute kinda chubby (cheeks, little kid belly) look. I constantly tell her how much I love her belly.
I never did any 'organized' activity when I was a kid...no dance, sports ect but I can very vividly remember not wanting to go swimming and stuff like that when I was little because I was chunky in my bathing suit and my friends werent....and I was only in like 1st grade when it started!
I have an 8y/o neice and I tell her all the time how beautiful she is...she is not fat, but that cute kinda chubby (cheeks, little kid belly) look. I constantly tell her how much I love her belly.
I think that is SOOOO important to do that with girls. Young girls can be so mean to eachother... and I think it is up to us as adults to remind them how amazing they are as little people! I really think that you're words will have a positive impact on her as she grows up! You're a good aunt!
What's Considered an Eating Disorder?
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