Haven't Been Eating, Not Sure What To Do
I've been in recovery for approximately four years now and I've dealt with the feelings and urges almost daily. Recently I have really come to accept and move past my self-mutilating tendencies, and I feel comfortable in my skin. I feel pretty good right now, if a little stressed. I just moved, dealt with a long coming break up and a falling out with a friend, but none of these were particularly upsetting to me. They were good for me, and I knew it.I am not in any state of anxiety or depression.
But I've stopped eating and I don't know why. It's notintentional. I just keep putting it off. I've been busy looking for a new job and I'm struggling a little bit in a French course, and it seems like I haven't got the time for anything.
I realized tonightthat I had only eaten had a coffee and some crackers today while studying at school and nothing else all day. I kept meaning to eat. I planned cooking meals in my head, but then I glossed right over them. I would write it off as an accident, except this has happened a lot in the last week or two.
Has anyone experienced symptoms that are totally detached from motive? I've never really not-eaten so carelessly, it's always been super micromanaged for me, so this "accidental anorexia" is baffling to me. I'm not sure if I should be concerned or just try harder to stick to an eating schedule. Should I talk to a professional or is it just a matter of exercising better habits?
Hey if you're worried one thing you could try is prepareing a really nice, healthy and substansial meal in the morning or even the night before and take it for lunch so you don't put it off?
Made myself a big breakfast today, but I still feel really weird uncommitted to eating. It's like a truly don't care about being hungry or needing to eat.It feelunconscious.But I know, consciously,that I have to eat and I know what kind of damage starvationcan cause. Why do I feel like this?
Hey Wildwitch,
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through this right now and I will say the stress and anxiety can play a role in us feeling hungryor not which can be frustrating.
You said you've been busy so try brining small snacks with you to help eat throughout the day and pick snack, if you can, that are really good for you and maybe are high in calories.
I've personally never experienced symptoms that are totally detached from motive but I've seen it happen with my sister and some friends too. It's normal and it does happen but what's good is that you are aware of it. In your recent post you said you made a big breakfast which great because at the very least you're trying. It might be helpful to like you said, try harder to stick to an eating schedule. Having food with you more often and eating smaller meals/snacks during the day might be helpful, just aim to do your best. If you do feel like you are still struggling seeking professional help might be a good option even if it's just a few times to help you get back on track.
I hope this helps and know that I'm rooting for you and I know you can get past this rough patch!
Best <3
When I'm busy or emotionally upset, I can put off eating as well. And sometimes our bodies go through ups and downs. Sometimes I am so hungry and I crave meat or milk or whatever my body needs that it feels to be lacking. Your schedule and stress could be why you have a lack of appetite. The good thing is that you are aware that skipping meals isn't healthy and you want to get back to a healthy balanced lifestyle. My friend is going through a similar feeling. Like everyone here said, she preps a breakfast. Nothing big but something that is nutritious and will keep her going. She also has whole milk with her tea. Carrying bite sized fruits to munch on helps. smoothies too!
And finally eating with friends/family. When you eat with ppl, it becomes a wonderful experience. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sometimes it's easier to just eat by yourself at the start, take your time and just mange what you can. I get what how you are feeling right now, but it's better for your body right?
Snacks are sometimes easier to handle, you can just make healthy ones, such as homemade bars or smoothies and things like that. Just take this all one day at a time and slowly raise your calorie intake. You can do this!
I've been to hospital for my disorder a few times and I still can't get it right. I just don't know what's wrong with me! Why am I like this? There is supposed to be some kind of genetic component but it's just me. I'm so alone in all of this. I haven't had anything but cups of teao or coffee in 8 days, I don't even feel hungry anymore just sick. I smell it and I want to vomit, I look at it and I just want to make it for someone else, just to see if I can control having it around me. But I can't stand anything right now. I don't get why I can't eat! It's such a basic human function and I can't manage it without breaking down.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. You are aware that this isn't healthy so you are conscious of the situation and you clearly want to get healthy. Eating disorders are not easy to overcome and you are not alone and you are doing your best. You gave great advice earlier about eating snacks and smoothies to slowly build up to bigger meals. I wonder if there was a change in your life recently or is their something that is causing an emotional blockage? Perhaps it would help if you talked to your doctor or nutritionist or even your family. They are all people that support you and want you healthy. Good luck and keep us posted. We're rooting for you!
Go gentle on yourself. Those are the words that really, really helped me start to recover. You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to understand why your mindand body don't seem to function like others. Recovery isn't necessarilyin those kind of answers.
It helps me to think of myself as a small child or a pet. If I went all day without feeding a child, I'd be horrified. So I remind myselfthat no matter myage, part of meis still a small child that needs to be taken care of, and Ican do it for myself.
I've been in that kind of mindset that you're in. I know how hard it is to think around those thoughts, like the Great Wall of China stretching around some truth in your mind that you're supposed to find, but it happened for me and it can happen for you. As modest zebra mentioned, you know it's not good for you. You gave me lovely advice. You can accept that same advice and compassionfrom yourself.
But for now, you are in my thoughts, and I hope you are eating well today, and smiling, and feeling love from me, wherever you are <3
I would suggest setting alarms for yourself. If you have a predictable enough routine that you can set aside some time at least a couple of times a day for eating, set at least one alarm at each set meal time. Maybe set more in case you get distracted at the first alarm. Also, if you could arrange it with a friend, have them text or call at least daily to ask if/what you ate so far. Maybe being reminded that other people care about your health can be a motivator.
it's really hard when you're not comfortable with your body
I'd forgotten I'd made this post so long ago and wandered back here today. All of this advice is lovely and this community is so wonderful. Thank you all for your words!
@WildWitch
I know this is an old post but Im going through exactly what you went through and am wondering how it turned out for you in the end and if you figured anything out about it?
I had a lot of stress with work a couple of weeks ago and was so distracted I forgot to eat for several days even though I was planning to and would think about it, it would just slip my mind like as though looking after myself became the least important priority.
Since then I havent been able to get myself into a routine of eating properly again, if anything its gotten worse. I did make a point for a few days to really focus on making myself eat more at which point I started making myself have a smoothie every morning (but really had to make an effort) and then would get hungry for a small dinner at night.
But before a couple of weeks ago Ive always had a really big appetite and absolutely loved food.
Today Ive eaten a yoghurt because my boyfriend made me (it took about 30 minutes and lots of prompting as I kept absent-mindedly putting it down somewhere and forgetting about it) and half a smoothie which I forced myself to eat because I just feel weak and sick and I dont like the idea of my body starving for nutrients.
I really dont understand whats going on and as you said its almost like ‘accidental anorexia ?? Very weird...
