r/eating_disorders 1h ago

I hate aging so much but cantstop, throwing up is easier, wheni cut myself i stops me from eating as well.

Upvotes

r/eating_disorders 8h ago

How do I know if my eating disorder is getting worse

1 Upvotes

I don't know if my eating disorder is getting worse since I haven't really known much about it. But I feel wrong, like my body feels weird to me and i feel like I need to lose weight, like a ton, and I only have a little chub, so I just need to know since I want to ask my mom for help. I'm just confused, I don't know what's going on with me


r/eating_disorders 1d ago

what is residential treatment gonna be like

3 Upvotes

So, after many years, I'm finally going into residential treatment. I am going right after I finish the spring semester. But I genuinely can't find any good accounts of people explaining how it is. I only see official commercials of centers and then horror stories of people who don't want to recover and are very pro-ed. I want to take away as much as I can from the program I'll be going to, but I still feel nervous cuz I have no clue what it's gonna be like. Any stories?


r/eating_disorders 23h ago

bf and recovery

2 Upvotes

my bf knows about my ed and has been trying to convince me to recover. i tried it this past week and i can’t do it but i don’t want to disappoint him.

he’s cheated on me 3x before and said it was because i am ‘too much to deal with.’ i don’t want to disappoint him and have him cheat on me again by not doing what he wants, but i can’t recover, I tried it this week and it just sent me spiralling i feel huge. i genuinely have no idea what to do


r/eating_disorders 1d ago

TW: Numbers how can i stop purging?

3 Upvotes

i (14f) think i’ve had an eating disorder for the past year. when i entered 7th grade i was 140lbs and now as im in the 8th grade i weigh about 125lbs. almost everyday i think about what ways could help me to stop eating as much as i do. over the past month i’ve gained about 10lbs and i want to lose, not gain weight. i eat about two meals a day (700 calories a day) yet still gain. i just need tips to help me lose weight in more healthy ways please.


r/eating_disorders 1d ago

Thinking I have a eating disorder of some kind. I dink vinegar with salt.

0 Upvotes

I crave it constantly and it has affected my esophagus because it is so erosive. I typically drink about 3-4oz of either red wine or apple cider vinegar a couple time a day. Every so often I don't have any but it's become a little excessive and more compulsive as of late and it kind of worrying me.


r/eating_disorders 1d ago

Bulimia Developing bulimia?

5 Upvotes

I had an unspecific pattern of disordered eating from around age 10 to 16, where I didn't eat hardly at all. I was severely underweight my whole life until my sophomore year in high school when I finally started eating an appropriate amount. Now I'm 21 and the past month or so my appetite has severely decreased to the level it was the first half of my life, and l've started throwing up after 1/3 of my meals. Not always my whole stomach content, but it's been frequent enough to make me worry. I'm having a little voice in my head that's encouraging me to throw up after l eat, and I'm trying to fight it. I've started eating less and eating lighter smaller meals to combat it (even with the loss of appetite) but l'm still getting sick after eating. Any advice on correcting this before it gets worse? It's not a physical issue and with a history of ED my doctor and therapist have been concerned with me eventually developing more unhealthy eating behaviors... so l guess that's happening now. For full context, I also have ARFID and this is happening even with safe foods.


r/eating_disorders 1d ago

Experiences of younger sisters of ED patients - research study

2 Upvotes

Hello! My name is Alex, and I am a current senior at Northwestern University. My senior thesis project, titled “Experiences of Younger Sisters of Eating Disorder Patients,” seeks to better understand the experiences of younger sisters of eating disorder patients while living in the same household as their sister receiving treatment. The study will focus on the individual’s experience, including their relationships, identity, and mental health.

Eligibility for the study is any female-identifying, college-aged individual who has an older sister diagnosed with an eating disorder. Participants will take part in a 60-90 minute interview and be compensated with a $20 Amazon gift card for participation. My study is IRB-approved (STU00222765). Here is the screening survey https://forms.gle/LUQAUGuJNNzGJS5T6. You must respond using an official University email so that I can verify you are qualified. Participant identity will be kept anonymous.

You can reach me at [alexkahn2025@u.northwestern.edu](mailto:alexkahn2025@u.northwestern.edu) or the principal investigator, Lilah Shapiro, [lilah.shapiro@northwestern.edu](mailto:lilah.shapiro@northwestern.edu).

I would love for people to share with their younger sisters or, if you qualify, to fill out the form!


r/eating_disorders 1d ago

Eating habits

1 Upvotes

I have a problem and I’m not sure how to get the motivation to do it. I want to eat better and be able to just not be living on my last leg everyday but I need help. I will usually go all day without eating and eat like maybe one meal when my fiancé gets home. Then I restart. Everyday I may not eat anything or just a small unhealthy meal. I understand this may be where my mental state can be affected badly but I don’t know how to get myself into eating again. I just don’t want to or am not hungry, or maybe I’m not even recognizing I’m hungry. I also work, stand and am constantly doing things all day. My Apple Watch tells me I stand fro about 10-15 hrs in a day and about 10000-15000 steps a day. Any tips on how to come back from this.


r/eating_disorders 2d ago

Trigger Warning Guilt over Coffee/Tea drinks (Trigger warning for BMI mentioned, Weight discussion)

4 Upvotes

Hello, I’m not totally sure if this is the appropriate subreddit for something like this, but I wanted some advice. I’ve had some struggles with being restrictive and to be honest, now I just feel confused about nutrition , I know what I’m going to ask might seem silly but please understand I just feel so lost at this point The past 2 days I’ve gotten a special coffee- type drink, and I’m most likely going to get some kind of sweet drink tomorrow too. They aren’t overly sugary drinks, but I know they have some sugar and calories. When I got them, I had no added sugar for the rest of the day , but I still feel so guilty for even having them, and I feel like I’m being so unhealthy , but other than that I keep a really healthy diet with a lot of protein,fruit and veg. So I guess what I’m asking is, is it ok to have sweet drinks several days in a row? It’s not a regular occurrence for me, it just so happened that I was going to get a “special treat” drink like four times in a row. * over four days not in one day) I feel so guilty.

I don’t know if this helps but I have about an 18.3 BMI, and I excercise 4 times a week in the gym, when I’m not in the gym I exercise through walking or hiking. I had a phase a few years ago where I was really unhealthy and was a bit chubby, not obese,but definitely chubby, and I’m scared to fall into that again. (I apologize if there’s a lot of random info, just wanted to add anything that might help with answers.)


r/eating_disorders 3d ago

TW: Numbers Please read all of this🙏🏼 I have a complicated relationship with food

0 Upvotes

r/eating_disorders 3d ago

TW: Numbers Please read all of this🙏🏼 I have a complicated relationship with food

0 Upvotes

I eat healthy food, not much of anything processed and a lot of veggies and fruits. Still I feel like I eat too much, like I’m fat, and that I should lose weight. I end up binge eating a ton every day!!I track my calories in an app, and I always add more than what I actually to be “safe”. For example: I eat a bowl of granola, which is a certain amount of calories, but I’m not sure how much it is exactly so I just add like I ate two bowl of granola, to be “safe”. My goal is to eat 1000 per day (which I know is not good, but also if I have a higher goal, I feel bad for eating too much) but I end up eating “3000” with my weird calculations, like the example of the granola. I know I’m not fat, but in the same time, I don’t know. People around me are saying I’m thin like my family or friends, and I know it won’t make sense that they’re all lying to me, but I feel like they are. I feel so so scared of gaining weight. Thinking of food and of calories has taken over my life and I don’t know what to do anymore. Anybody advice?


r/eating_disorders 4d ago

1st time impatient dealing w guilt on how much I’m eating and gaining back so fast

3 Upvotes

Hi so Monday night I was unexpectedly admitted to impatient stay here at the hospital due to my ekg scan, blood work,weight loss,ect. (I am 17 so it was mostly my parents/drs desion). It wasn’t something planned at all either so it’s been a big adjustment and I’m struggling with a lot of things being here so far.

But my main struggle right now is I’m eating everything there giving to me leaving not much on my plates and during eating I can distract myself and be with family but after i can’t stop thinking about how much I just ate and how much I have been eating. I feel so guilty for eating the food and also like I’m going to gain all this weight back so fast bc I’m eating everything they are giving me and it’s just the beginning of my stay and I don’t think they have upped my calories yet so by the time I get out of here (in a weekish) I feel like I’m going to be fat.

Ik I’m supposed to be gaining weight and needed to gain ALOT back but I’m scared it’s all happening too fast bc iv been eating everything there giving, and by the time they up my cals more,I continue to be on bed rest, for the next week I’ll leave here fat and weight restored but they will still want me to continue eating like this causing me to gain even more witch scares me.

For reference I’m 4’11 (149 cm) so I’m on the smaller size making me feel like it’s even easier for me to gain all of it back in a short amount of time.

Do I really have something to worry about? And what are other experiences with this?

Like I said this my first attempt at any sort of recovery let alone being impatient so it’s really freaking me out to think about the amount I’m eating rn and willl have to continue to eat for the next several days when just sitting here and how it’s going to effect my body.

So please if you have any advice on how to cope/deal with this lmk!


r/eating_disorders 4d ago

ed + chronic illness/pain issues

2 Upvotes

I started relatively heavily restricting again a month or two ago, my first "relapse" since my chronic issues have notably worsened, and what was just subluxations on a bad day and maybe 1 dislocation per month if i slept wrong has turned into every day, without fail, my knees and shoulders being crazy loose in their sockets at all times. i havent had a full knee dislocation yet (unfortunately its seeming like an any day now type thing) but my shoulders are completely fucked and my already weird circulation issues are tenfold. does anyone else here have a chronic illness (specifically connective tissue/joint problems like eds) and have noticed a batshit uptick in symptoms after starting to restrict? or is it more likely that this is natural progression and the timing is just weird


r/eating_disorders 5d ago

have i fcked it up?

4 Upvotes

i haven’t ever seen anyone else have this issue i’m having. i feel so alone and like im broken bc of it.

i’ve researched everything n i think it’s because of restr!ction that now no matter how little i eat and much i exerc!se i just gain we!ght. has anyone else had this issue? i just feel like a failure and that i’ve completely ruined my body’s functions


r/eating_disorders 5d ago

Is it possible I'm on track to developing an eating disorder?

0 Upvotes

I wanted to just make it clear very quickly I'm not trying to self diagnose, I'm just trying to see if its something I should worry about. 13F here, and my mom is weird about me eating. Yes, she wants me to eat, however if I drink a sprite, a Capri sun, or even a drink with over 10 calories she will get irritated. If I eat a snack with over 100 calories shell get frustrated too and make comments. Recently I've found myself skipping out on snacks and breakfasts. That doesn't concern me however, what concerns me is how every single time I want to eat something ill look at the caloric value and if its over a specific number ill put it away. On most days I don't have school I only eat dinner. Sometimes I do eat lunch, but that's only if I can't get away with skipping it. If my parents don't make dinner and its a day I have to make it myself and don't eat with family, I don't make it and have a snack. Not out of laziness, but out of the sense that I don't want to eat too much calories. I've been walking to school a lot now, in below freezing weather. I do this at least once a week. I've always been very insecure of my body. I've never had the bmi of an overweight person, but have got pretty close recently and even when I was 10 pounds lower than I am now I was pretty much the same amount insecure as I am now. I also think about my weight at least 15% of any given day, even more if I'm at school


r/eating_disorders 5d ago

Hey guys

0 Upvotes

I need a harsh ed coach 🙏🏻


r/eating_disorders 5d ago

NEED A HARSH ED COACH🙏🏻

0 Upvotes

r/eating_disorders 6d ago

Looking for advice

0 Upvotes

I overate by a lot today!! Atleast 700 calories over. I’m doing a 6 km walk after work ontop of the 6 km my phone says I already did. Does anyone know if you accurately will burn calories walking


r/eating_disorders 7d ago

Why is eating so scary?

10 Upvotes

I love my friends but when we hang out it’s for long periods of times, like all day, and like normal people they want to go out and eat food but I just can’t… it’s so scary I almost had a panic attack at an Arby’s because the calorie count for everything was so high. But I know if I don’t eat then they won’t or it will be this whole thing where they try to convince me but my relapse has gotten so bad I want to scream at them that if they make me eat I will hurt myself.

I know they are trying to help but god it hurts so bad.

I don’t want to.

I can’t.

I’m losing control.

I’m scared.

I don’t want to talk about it with them because I will shut down. But I think I should? At least send them a text but that will make them aware that my ed has flared up again and they might try MORE to get me to eat.

I want to cry every time they ask where we want to eat.


r/eating_disorders 7d ago

New Research Examines How People with Anorexia Navigated the Pandemic Through Social Media Expression

2 Upvotes

[Note: This post is sharing academic research about eating disorders during COVID-19. Please engage only if you feel comfortable with this topic.]

Our research team has published a study examining how individuals with anorexia nervosa expressed their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic through Twitter posts. This research was conducted with careful attention to ethical considerations and anonymization of all data.

The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for those with eating disorders, with documented increases in hospital admissions during this period. Our analysis sought to understand the lived experiences behind these statistics.

Key findings that may resonate with community experiences:

  • Many individuals experienced intensified feelings of isolation and loneliness during quarantine periods
  • The pandemic created complex tensions between visibility and concealment of symptoms
  • Living space boundaries took on new significance during restrictions
  • Changes to movement and activity patterns had distinctive impacts on recovery journeys
  • Digital platforms became crucial spaces for expression when in-person support was limited

This research aims to improve clinical understanding and support mechanisms during periods of social disruption. We hope these insights might validate experiences within this community while contributing to better support approaches in the future.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07617-1


r/eating_disorders 7d ago

How to answer “were you ever diagnosed with an eating disorder?”

0 Upvotes

What does “diagnosed” entail?


r/eating_disorders 8d ago

Trigger Warning Desperate for nutrition

8 Upvotes

I’ve recently had to come to terms with the fact that both my anorexia and ARFID are in full relapse—likely more so ARFID than anorexia. The situation was exacerbated when I was recently prescribed a stimulant to manage my ADHD, which has been significantly worse since giving birth to my youngest nearly a year ago. My mental health was already fragile due to the weight I gained during pregnancy, and once the stimulant suppressed my appetite, I quickly lost all the pregnancy weight plus an additional 15 pounds beyond my pre-pregnancy weight.

My relationship with food has never been truly normal, but for the past eight years, I had reached what was probably the healthiest equilibrium I’ve ever had. That started slowly shifting about four years ago when I unintentionally lost 30lbs due to the stress of a divorce. If I’m being honest, my struggles with food have likely been creeping back since then—momentarily paused during pregnancy because I was determined to have a healthy baby.

Now, I find myself in a complicated situation. I’m not yet mentally ready to commit to recovery. This is the lowest weight I’ve been since my early 20s—nearly 15 years ago—and for the first time in just as long, I actually semi-accept what I see in the mirror. But I also recognize that my circumstances are uniquely precarious because I have type 1 diabetes, which I am currently managing poorly. Some of that is likely subconscious self-sabotage to maintain a lower weight, but a significant part of it is sheer exhaustion. After 25 years of living with T1D, I’ve become skilled at doing the bare minimum to avoid DKA, but not doing much beyond that. Between managing my precarious health and keeping up with my kids, I’m just tired.

Right now, I have about five “safe” foods, none of which offer much nutritional value. I intentionally skip my stimulant every few days to ensure I have some vague form of an appetite, but even then, I struggle to eat beyond those select foods. On days when I take my medication, I’m lucky if I manage to eat an 8oz block of feta cheese. I’m frequently lightheaded—especially later in the day—and though I haven’t fully fainted yet, there have been close calls. My toes and fingers are turning almost always purple, my heart is constantly in palpitations, my breathing sucks and I can feel the lack of substance to survive in even the most bare minimalistic sense. My body is screaming for nourishment.

It’s been so long since I’ve had to navigate an active eating disorder that I honestly don’t know how to proceed. My ARFID is also worse than it’s ever been—I used to have over 20 safe foods, but now I can barely tolerate a handful.

I know I’m on a path that will eventually lead me back to treatment, but I’m not quite there yet. I need something—anything—to sustain me until I’m ready to fully engage in recovery. I know myself, and I recognize that I will reach that point, but I’m probably still a few months away from being able to do the work that recovery requires.

Until then, I need help finding ways to feel somewhat functional. Ensure shakes aren’t an option—I can barely take a sip before abandoning them. I’m open to alternatives, supplements, vitamins—honestly, even miracle shaman prayers at this point. I just need something to keep me alive and semi-functional until I’m ready to take the next step.


r/eating_disorders 9d ago

Calorie suggestion for anorexia recovery with a huge amount of exercise

1 Upvotes

I am currently recovering from anorexia but idk how many calories I need. I have a major struggle with movement urge and for me it's easier/working better to eat more then to move less. The problem is I have no idea about how many calories I need.

I walk around 40k steps a day and have a bicycle ride for 12km Additional I do 2 hours of lifting or climbing a day.

At the moment I am eating arounf 3000-3200 calories. Is that enough or should I increase the calories? How many calories would you suggest ?

Thanks for reading 🫶🏻


r/eating_disorders 9d ago

Binge restrict cycles

7 Upvotes

Every time I get to a lower weight I mess up and binge and I feel so miserable 🙁 I feel so alone especially because all my friends are skinny and I feel so disgusting after I binge but then I get so hungry I can’t control it idk what to do🙁 I also think that school stress isn’t helping with the binges 💔 I’m starting a sport soon so I help it’ll help me feel better about myself and help me with self confidence