Eating Disorders / Question
Published: November 21, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I have depression. I feel bad about my self all of the time. Some days I hate myself. I have panic attacks almost every night I even attempted suicide. Every day I look in the mirror and think I am really fat and ugly. My friends and my boyfriend don't think so. they think i'm way skinny and pretty. i never believe them.I'm 14 years old, height 5 foot 3 and weigh 110 pounds. I used to weigh 117. Every day I don't feel like eating. I'm never hungry. Whenever I eat as much as everyone else i feel sick. My parents force me to eat and are very worried. i have talked to a phychologist but it hasn't helped me. I am very worried. my friends are worried that i'm becoming anorexic. Am I? - signed, worried if I am anorexic
Signed: Worried If I Am Anorexic
Dear Worried If I Am Anorexic,
There is a possibility that you may have an eating disorder but the only way to know for sure is to be seen by a doctor and have him/her diagnose the condition. Eating disorders are severe disturbances in eating habits and are associated with psychological factors such as, depression and low self-esteem. Often, the person with an eating disorder has a distorted body image and does not like himself/herself. The eating disorder is a way of hiding other underlying issues and personal problems that are unrelated to their weight. You can get a list of the signs and symptoms of and eating disorder by viewing TeenHealthFX's response to "Does My Friend Have An Eating Disorder."
If you do have an eating disorder it is important to remember that recovery from an eating disorder is possible, especially when you catch it in the early stages. Talking to a psychologist may not have been enough. It is well documented that the most effective treatment for eating disorders is to work with a multidisciplinary team consisting of a medical provider, therapist, and nutritionist. Your parents need to realize that forcing you to eat is not the answer because an eating disorder is not something that you are really in control of. Eating disorders are illnesses, and should be treated as such. This really important for your parents to understand because they are an important part of the recovery process and the more they understand about the illness the more they will be able to help you.
You mention that you are depressed and suffering from panic attacks. One of the classic symptoms of depression is a disturbance of appetite as well as several other instabilities in your mood that can make you feel that life is not worth living. You can get a good deal of information about depression if you use the search feature on TeenHealthFX. The important thing to remember is that depression is a treatable condition that it can respond to therapy, medication or a combination for both. It is not necessary for you to go through life feeling miserable.
If you get to the point that you are seriously considering suicide or are afraid of your impulses then you need to seek help immediately. You can call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. In northern
If you are not currently in crisis the best place to start looking for help would to talk to your parent's about seeing your doctor. He/She will be able to determine what the issues are and help you and your parents plan an appropriate course of treatment and help you with referrals to other health professionals.
If you live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens with untreated depression are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, leading to higher rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
