Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

If you don't eat because of stress, or you just genuinely don't want to eat, what kind of eating disorder would this be classed as?

9 Answers
Last Updated: 11/26/2020 at 2:06pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy

Psychotherapist

I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.

Top Rated Answers
originalLion57
June 4th, 2015 2:14pm
It doesn't have to be an eating disorder if it's due to stress. If you don't like your body and want to be skinny and think that by not eating you'll get your dream body, then that could be anorexia. But if you usually eat healthy and you like your body, but you're going through tough times with stress, then it doesn't have to have anything to do with eating disorders.
Anonymous
July 21st, 2015 8:45pm
Someone who is not eating because of stress or other factors would not typically fall into the category of having an eating disorder. Eating disorders are a cluster of behaviors revolving around thoughts about food and eating, and may include; feelings as if they are overweight, overly conscious of the amount of food they eat, worry/anxiety about their eating habits being commented on. Clinical diagnoses of eating disorders are made using a set of criteria and involve things like perceived body image, the person's body weight compared to the average, and thoughts and feelings around eating. Someone who has no interest in food, or is not eating because of stress, would not generally fit this criteria. Not eating because of these reasons is more likely to be closely related to depression symptoms. In depression there is usually a change of appetite (this may go either way; either lack of appetite, or increased appetite). It is important to talk to your family doctor about this, and they may refer you to a mental health professional to talk about what you are feeling.
GoldenDragonEyes60
May 5th, 2015 12:30pm
Okay so I've done a lot of research on this topic and there are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Anorexia is defined as "a lack or loss of appetite for food (as a medical condition)." Bulimia is defined as "an emotional disorder involving distortion of body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight, in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by depression and self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting." And finally, binge eating disorder is defined as "an eating disorder characterized by binge eating without subsequent purging episodes." So what it possibly sounds like is that you may have a slight case of anorexia, but it may be best if you contacted a professional who can give you real help and walk you through it.
passionateSummer1924
December 12th, 2017 10:53pm
I really don't know
Anonymous
December 18th, 2017 1:31am
I would consider this to be anorexia, or a disorder that is very similar and classified as EDNOS. It may not even be a disorder, if it has not lasted more than 2 weeks and do not possess a majority of the symptoms. I would see a doctor if you are wondering.
awksolli
January 30th, 2018 1:45pm
Emotional eating is an attempt to manage mood with food. Serious emotional eaters obsess about food They rely on food to self-soothe. ... Emotional eating follows a continuum; if it is not stopped, it can lead to eating disorders
HelpAndHealing
August 7th, 2018 6:38am
I personally have never heard this referred to as an eating disorder. As far as I know this is just a symptom or side-effect of stress, sadness, grief, or another emotion which is overwhelming you (rather than a standalone disorder). It may be beneficial to get help with processing your emotions, and ideally to make changes to make your situation less stressful - this should help your appetite to come back. In the meantime, eat what you can (it's fine to eat when not hungry) and perhaps take a vitamin supplement if you aren't already.
heavenPurple92
May 26th, 2015 10:11pm
Just makes you an under eater. Try to take care of yourself though. It's unhealthy to not eat. I'd advise you to go and see your GP (doctor) and try to see a dietician to help you in the best way possible :) Good luck!
GoldenRuleJG
November 26th, 2020 2:06pm
Restricted food intake disorder is another way of describing picky eating. For individuals with this condition they feel they are adamant that they not in the normal weight and mistake this for weight gain. Hence there is an intense fear of eating too much, constant attempts of changing diets. Health risks can include malnutrition, weight loss, developmental delays, anxiety disorder , gastrointestinal problems.Rumination disorder can also be a factor associated with this condition. Rumination disorder is a condition in which people repeatedly and unintentionally spit up (regurgitate) undigested or partially digested food from the stomach, rechew it, and then either reswallow it or spit it out. Because the food hasn't yet been digested, it reportedly tastes normal and isn't acidic, as vomit is. Therefore with disturbed eating patterns mental illness and self-esteem troubles are common. To address this disorder support groups can be : Nightingale Binge (eating disorder support group https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/nightingale), Eating disorder support groups (https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/recovery/support-groups). Concerns about a loved with with an eating disorder can be approached through family therapy because in this many points of view are heard and not just one.