eating disorder?

[Hope.]

ok so basically i have had issues with self harm for a while. my friend made me see a counselor for the first time (she was in the room) and we had talked for an hour until i had to go back to class. when my friend saw my friend later and we went to lunch she told me that he (the counselor) said that i have an eating disorder waiting to happen. he said this because i had told him when i get depressed i dont eat. (i have gone days without eating) i also work out everyday (becasue i play very highly competative volleyball) and that what i need in my life is more control (and i can control how much i eat). am i developing an eating disorder??

[Jen]

Hey Camille,

It definitely does sound like you're at risk for developing an eating disorder. The points that your counselor made are all good ones, and they are factors that often can lead to an eating disorder.

The good news is that you know all of this ahead of time. So it's in YOUR control whether or not you do develop an eating disorder. You can use this knowledge as power to prevent an ED from developing. Talk with your counselor, work with him on coping strategies, talk with him about what's going on in your life, figure out ways to cope without starving yourself.

It is NOT worth it to develop an ED--it's not something you can "have" for a few months and then move on from it. Trust me, you don't want to lose years, even decades, to a disease that doesn't have to happen.

Stay strong Camille, take good care of yourself.
<3

[Hope.]

How little is too little?...like i have always eatn healthy and such...i know its dumb but now im scared if i eat small portions that im going to become anorexic or something...i dont want anything else to be wrong with me

[Jen]

Are you able to see a doctor? If so, that's your best bet, because a doctor can tell you exactly how much to be eating. Otherwise, let your parents, or the counselor, help you. Ask them how much you should be eating, and they'll have a rough estimate for you. Also, observe what THEY eat, and see what "normal-sized" meals are like. There's nothing wrong with taking small portions, but they need to be caloric enough so that your body is getting enough food to prevent you from losing weight.

Just another note--if you are eating small portions, it doesn't mean you're anorexic. Anorexia has a whole other component to it, which is distorted body image, thinking you're fat, feeling very negatively about the way you look, and starving yourself in order to lose weight. It doesn't sound to me like that's where you are at right now. So in that respect, don't worry. The only thing to keep watch of, is that it doesn't turn into that. Sometimes the line between self-love and self-hate can be crossed quickly, especially when things are tough. That might have been what your counselor was getting at.

I'd talk with your counselor about this and he can help you out.
<3

[Hope.]

my parents dont know any of this is going on (sh, counselor at school, or the possible ED)
so i cant really go see a dr or anything

i have to say i dont like myself very much (which is a major reason for the sh) so in that part im screwed...like a few weeks ago i was talking to a friend about going on a diet

im slightly underweight for my height...but im building muscle and gaining some weight right now...so idk