Could I have anorexia or something?
Q.
Hi, I'm 5' 3 &1/2, and I weigh 110 lbs. What is the average weight for my height? Lately I have been obsessed with my weight. I skip lunch and try to avoid eating dinner at home. And when I do eat, I tend to throw up a little or I try. I workout for an hour every night. Everytime I look in the mirror I think I look fat, so it makes me even ore obsessed with my weight! Could I have anorexia or something?
A.
It sounds like life is pretty tough for you at the moment and you must be feeling pretty tired and run down if you are skipping meals and doing so much exercise. It's a good thing that you've found the courage to take this first step in looking for some help.It seems that you've been obsessed with your weight lately but it is good that you have recognised that this obsession may be a problem and you've started to ask questions about it. It can be so confusing to look in the mirror and see yourself as being a lot larger than you actually are or how others might see you. This is something often talked about by people who have eating disorders.
You asked if you had anorexia, which I need to point out that only a doctor can diagnose anorexia. I find it hard to comment on your weight because at the age of 13 our bodies as women are going through many changes and our weight can also depend on other factors like family genetics. However the symptoms you talked about sound concerning so visiting a doctor may be a good place to start. The thought of telling a doctor may be very scary for you, so you might like to talk to an adult whom you trust first to make sure you have some support with this. It can be really hard to tell someone about what is going on but it can feel really lonely dealing with this on your own.
It is important that you do talk to somebody about this and get the right help as you deserve to live your life and have fun without being troubled by guilt and obsessing about the way you look. The National Eating Disorder Association (see below) can give you more information and may be able to support you in finding some help.
Best of luck for the future.
Last modified: 23rd June 2008
