r/AnorexiaNervosa

my friend (also has an ed), keeps mentioning these weird things to me? shes had hers for like a month tbh idk if that’s why but she keeps saying stuff like “>!160!< for cereal? that’s too much” and i was talking about how i weigh more than my friend and she was like “it’s okay you can lock in“ i just don’t feel like that’s her place? i rly want a second opinion on if this is normal or not

So basically I'm in a kinda bad relapse rn and ik ana can cause major infertility, the problem is i know i want to have kids at some point and my partner does too so I'm just wondering if recovery can reverse the damage done?

Don’t ask random strangers on the internet for weight loss advice. If you don’t already have some kind of eating disorder, the internet will gladly give you one for free. If possible, talk to a professional. If not, at least look for trustworthy sources. And don’t hide what you’re doing from other people, especially your support system.

I’m saying this because it was genuinely one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made in my life. You start innocently, then slowly get used to more and more insane ideas. And yes, I did lose a lot of weight when I was at my absolute lowest, but guess what? I gained it all back, because weight loss involves an entire lifestyle change. Starving yourself for a while and then going back to your old habits doesn’t work.

Especially because if your diet is extremely restrictive, the moment you allow yourself to eat, you lose control. Besides making me way more insecure about my body, it DESTROYED my relationship with food. And it sounds silly, but food is something you need to survive and deal with multiple times every single day.

On top of everything I already mentioned, I now have gastritis and acid reflux because of bulimia, I had dental problems, my hair fell out, I became deficient in several vitamins, and I lost a lot of friendships because I isolated myself. Socializing usually involves food, and I either wouldn’t allow myself to eat or didn’t want to explain why I “couldn’t.”

It also made my self-harm issues much worse, because those two communities basically walk hand in hand. Anyway, a lot of terrible things can happen. It was the worst period of my life. I haven’t fully recovered, and I know I’ll probably have to deal with this for the rest of my life.

I’ve been dealing with this for 4 years now, all because I wanted to save time and do in a few months something that should’ve taken at least a year. I’ve been paying the price for years, and I’ll probably keep paying for it because of that.

I hope this helps you. If you still want to continue, okay, just be careful. I warned you.

this friend of mine is a gym bro. he posts on his Instagram story about achieving a low body fat, food noise, being hungry, etc. literally reposted mukbangs.

once he was talking to me about his calorie deficit, being in a cut, and losing weight. he shared with me how much weight he was losing and I felt awful because I was gaining that much and more while barely eating.

what tipped me over the edge was when he sent a body photo, I said I didn't want to comment on his body, and he said I could call him "skinnyyy 😝" in a quirky way.

I said I didn't want to talk about it all because I have a severe eating disorder. and that all of it was triggering because I've gained weight recently. I'm finding a lot of things triggering at the moment.

he did respect that and he did stop mentioning it. I then told him I hope he's okay because I was concerned. this was a few weeks ago.

yesterday he posted on his story something along the lines of "at what body fat am I worthy of love". I replied saying none because that has nothing to do with body fat.

today he randomly posted a photo of a blood pressure cuff. it was a very low bp. I replied asking if he's okay but tell me why the fuck I'm jealous???

I don't know what to do about this. of course it's my fault for being triggered. I can simply not click on his story. but I'm just... idk. I don't know how to cope.

any advice? should I talk to my friend about it again? this feels like such a non-issue.

I’m not sure if this will be triggering to anyone but I put it just in case. I’m pretty depressed right now and it killed my will do to anything especially eat. So I have to been hoarding food in my room so my parents think I’m eating. Not hoarding because I have any emotional attachment to the food I just want to be left alone about eating. But since I have been hoarding food now there are ants in my bed and I’ve been sleeping with them I know this is really fucking disgusting and I’m ashamed by this but how the hell do i get rid of the ants. I have threw out everything while my parents were asleep. But some are still here. Please don’t comment any mean things I’m already aware of how gross this is. I just need to get this off my chest and maybe some advice on how to get rid of ants.

19F, 5'4 / 163cm, South Asian/East African, Canada

**Primary complaint:** Loss of appetite/nausea around food, anxiety/stress, concerns about rapid mental health diagnoses
**Duration:** A few months
**Existing medical issues**: Neurodivergent, recently diagnosed with ADD and anxiety. Thalassemia minor.
**Current medications:** Jornay PM (off it now since finals are over), recently prescribed Co-Venlafaxine 37.5 mg (haven’t started yet), taking iron and b12 supplements.
**Drinking** = recreationally, **Smoking** = was semi regular currently on a T break (started \~2 weeks ago).

I’ve had a really stressful few months and I’m starting to feel overwhelmed and confused by how quickly I’m being diagnosed with things, so I wanted outside opinions.

This all started during finals season when my stress got really bad. Around that time I started having issues with food and eating. I genuinely miss food and WANT to eat, but lately I feel nauseous around meals and my appetite has been terrible. Before this, I felt like I had a healthy relationship with food.

Over the past few months, I was also diagnosed with ADD and started on Jornay PM. I’m neurodivergent, so I’m not saying the diagnosis is impossible, but it also felt very fast and unreliable to me. (It was one multiple choice quiz with less than 30 very generic questions like "Do you have trouble starting new tasks") Now, within less than 3 months, I’ve been diagnosed with multiple mental health conditions by the same doctor without seeing a psychiatrist or specialist, which is part of why I’m uncomfortable.

At my most recent appointment, I waited about an hour and a half after my scheduled time before being seen. When the doctor finally came in, I was with him for less than 10 minutes.

At first he told me to do blood work, but then checked my chart and saw I had already done it. Right after that he basically concluded “*it’s anxiety*” and explained that because I was stressed during finals, that stress is now being projected onto my relationship with food.

He then prescribed me Co-Venlafaxine 37.5 mg (Effexor) and diagnosed me with **anorexia** and **anxiety.**

What confused me was his reasoning. According to him:

1. I have trouble focusing
2. I fidget
3. I “appear sad on video” according to chart notes

But honestly, I had just waited 90 minutes to be seen and was worried about my health. I feel like most people wouldn’t look cheerful in that situation, and I don’t know why fidgeting after sitting there that long would automatically point to a disorder.

The anorexia diagnosis especially surprised me because I’ve never wanted to be extremely thin or underweight. I don’t count calories, obsessively diet, or avoid food because of body image. If anything, my body goals have always been more “slim thick” than skinny. That’s why the diagnosis feels confusing to me.

I know anxiety and stress absolutely can affect appetite, and I’m not trying to deny that something is wrong. I just genuinely don’t know if this sounds like a thorough evaluation or if I should get a second opinion before starting another medication.

I’m especially nervous about starting Venlafaxine because I’ve heard a lot about withdrawal symptoms like “brain zaps” and flu-like symptoms. I’m only 19 and want to make sure this is actually the right path before committing to it.

One more thing that made me uneasy: this same doctor “fired” my 12-year-old brother as a patient after my dad requested copies of his chart to show our uncle, who is a doctor in Tanzania.

Would really appreciate any advice or perspective, especially from anyone familiar with eating disorders, ADD diagnoses, or Venlafaxine.

So I used to have ana when I was younger but considered myself recovered.

I gained loads of weight through binging and medication and am now obese.

It's like I have gone back in time, my mindset about food is extreme if anything it is much worse so I haven't eaten anything since the x and any drinks must be below x calories.

I was admitted into the psych ward for other reasons that I won't go into here, but they had to send me to the main hospital for severe dehydration (I was not drinking at the time but now I am) and high ketones.

I saw the dietitian today and she says she recommens an ng tube and my psychiatrist and other doctors say they agree, I don't know when they will do it but I am scared, I have never had one before.

What is an ng tube like? Any input about my situation would be helpful.

today i overate… over my maintenance amount of cals. now all i can think about is what i’ll do to compensate it, even though i know i shouldn’t…

I really tried everything that says like “picture your 80yo self” or “remember you had a good time with your friends”, but none seems to work

Does anyone have tips on what go think to help me with this excruciating guilt?

Hello, everyone. I’m 19F and have been struggling with what I believe to be anorexia for two years. I have been trying to get help since October but I’m a full time student who lives in a mental health care desert so it’s been extremely difficult. I finally got referred to an eating disorder clinic in the city, and the appointment is supposed to last two hours. What can I expect? What kind of questions will they ask me? Will there be tests? I’m trying to be referred to a virtual IOP so my insurance will cover it, but I’m worried they won’t want to help me.

Thank you in advance!

Whenever I open up to someone about my ED they always go "Omg I feel so bad you must be so t8red all the time" like no. I don't care what anyone says, restricting makes me feel more motivated and energetic. I get my best work done while restricting. To anyone who is abt to comment "You'll be tired soon" no tf i won't I've been doing this for ages and never once felt tired. I am more energetic and motivated this way, I dont want help nor do I need it.

So I saw my psychologist yesterday and he is worried about new symptoms that have come up for me and said he wanted me to see my medical practitioner within 24 hours. I currently have an appointment arranged a day later than that, but we’ll see. Anyway he’s thinking I may have to go to hospital and I’m really freaked out by that. I said I would go to a medical ward, but not a psych ward or ED clinic. I would rather die tbh.

I had a baby a year ago and only just now lost a chunk of the weight I gained.

I was absolutely so excited and happy when I saw I lost x pounds. The hardest part of weightloss is starting, and I've gotten through the hard part.

I did this the healthy way. High protien balanced meals, and staying in a slight calorie deficit for the last 60 days. As time has gone on, my cravings are pretty much gone, and I feel like I have gotten over my junk food addiction/binge phase.

Now that a decent percent of my weight is gone, and im on track to hit my pre pregnancy weight by November, something keeps itching at me....

The urge to fast, counting every small calorie, not even cooking delicious nutritious meals anymore. Just doing fast and easy healthy snacks... lately if I dont make a giant protein shake to take to work, I wont consume any calories.

Im trying to not get obsessive like I did 4 years ago and end up back in the hospital...

I know my daughter needs me, and I need to be healthy and strong for her. She's only 1, but its only a matter of time before she starts noticing how I am with food...

I want so badly to join another dc and get back on ed twt, and just go all in. I see my goal... its in arms reach. But how I get there... is just a on going battle in my brain.

Like, I want to strength train and have some muscle and be lean. The other part of me wants to see every bone in my body visible again...

wont disclose how long i was struggling with eating, but i was at the point where i couldnt even stand without falling and was facing dramatic weight loss. my doctor told me i was going to die and she threatened me with involuntary hospitalization.

today i ate 2 full meals. chocolate yogurt in the morning, and nuggets for lunch. for the first time in a long time. i cried. i am going to try my fucking best to eat again tomorrow and finally have enough energy to go to class and workout.

I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world, and my all time favorite cookies are the Gideon's bakehouse chocolate chip cookies. I've been really struggling recently, and last night my bf went and bought me 2 cookies and a bouquet of roses but instead of being grateful I waited until he went to sleep and poured soap on them so I couldn't be tempted and threw them away. I feel fucking evil. He surprised me with something I love and all I could feel was anger. This disorder is so isolating

my question is: can a diagnosis … expire or be revoked?
I’ll try to give you some context to explain my situation better.
I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in 2024 and then tried to follow a recovery plan. Actually, at the time I wasnt ready to recover, it wasnt my decision and I think genuinely wanting to rocover plays a big role. I was forced by my parents to recover and they were even considering not letting me move away from home to go to university in that state. I don’t want to shame my parents because they were really scared for my health and tried to understand me, but I dont think that they handled it in the best way.
In the end I gained back all the weight, so I’m not physically in danger anymore, but I didnt mentally recover. Basically, I still have the same disordered behaviours and thoughts as before, just in a healthy body.
I’m not following a therapeutic plan anymore because moving away from my toxic household was something I had wanted for a long long time, so I pretended to be better to be able to do it.
Do I still have a diagnosis or not??
I know that being diagnosed or not doesnt make me less valid but I really want to know if psychologists could “revoke” your diagnosis.
Sorry if it’s a dumb question and thanks in advance for spending some time reading me.

Just seems like such a waste of time 😞

I’m obsessed with when I was a child. I can’t help but keep thinking and talking about when I was a little girl and my mum would wake me up with a bowl of porridge she would make for me every single morning without a fail. I genuinely think the day she stopped making me my morning porridge, my eating disorder began.

When I had to wake up for school and decide what to eat, things went to shit from there.

The other day I was in full blown uncontrollable tears in the supermarket because me and my mum went there and she pointed at the porridge oats she used to get for me as a child and said “I remember making them for you every morning!”

I told her why I was crying and said I miss being a child and having no fear of eating that porridge. She made me a bowl for dinner in the Disney princess bowl I used to eat it in and I literally felt like I was 6 again.
Am I insane for just wanting to be as childlike as possible? I just want my mums affection and for her to look after me. Does this illness make anyone else this way?

I (17m) am on the lower end of healthy bmi wise. I’ve been lying to all of my doctors about how bad I am mentally but they know I’ve lost a lot of weight and they know it’s due to disordered eating.

I haven’t been doing too well recently and I’ll probably end up underweight within the next few months. How bad does it have to get for me to get forced inpatient? I really don’t want to go. Ik there probably isn’t a hard set rule for when people get hospitalized but there’s probably some guidelines at least…

Ik it’s really hard for an adult to get hospitalized involuntarily so I might have to try to hold on until my birthday :/