Is this an Eating Disorder?

[Voldemort]

Well for the past 2 months I haven't eaten that much. When I look at food or smell it i feel sick and I when I try to eat food I generally throw up afterwards. I haven't forced myself to be sick I just feel like that when I eat food. I talked to my mum about it about a month ago and she said she feels the same way but I was being silly because I'm a healthy weight. My mum is underweight and dosen't eat much at all however she dosen't throw up as far as I know. My little brother is also underweight. I do see myself as fat and I am sort of obsessed with my weight. I keep setting myself targets like 'XXX stone my August' and things like that.

I was just wondering if this is classed as an eating disorder because my friends think it is. I don't know if it's all in my head either.

Thanks for reading.

[Jen]

Hi Maria-
Since we're not medical professionals, we can't diagnose you. But it sounds like you have some valid concerns. You are setting weight targets for yourself, see yourself as fat, feeling ill at the sight of food, and throw up after eating. Those are all disordered behaviors. To clear up a common misconception--an individual does NOT need to be underweight in order to have food or eating problems/disorders. In fact, most individuals with eating disorders are not underweight. I think the best thing you can do, Maria, is to let your friends and your mum help you. It IS possible to get to a place where you're not obsessed with food and weight, and you can have a healthy relationship with food. I, and many others, can promise you that.

Keep us posted, and don't hesitate to PM me anytime. Take good care of yourself!
Jen