Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Why can't I stop the wanting of throwing up my food?

56 Answers
Last Updated: 04/23/2022 at 10:25am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Lauren Abasheva, LMHC

Licensed Professional Counselor

A sex positive, and kink knowledgeable therapist with an open mindset and a clear understanding that we are all different.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
April 1st, 2020 2:53am
This is a common feeling for people to face, especially for people with eating disorders to face. As a member of society it is instilled in us that food is the enemy and the more you eat the worse you are. Many times people you purging (throwing up food) as a coping mechanism to deal with there emotions around food as well as a coping mechanism to deal with the regret they have around eaten the food. A lot of times if you have purged once it becomes addictive and you cannot stop it can be an instant reaction after consuming food. I suggest you reach out to a health care professional or NEDA (national eating disorders association) to help you deal with this behavior as it can ultimately be self destructive.
VerseArt
June 25th, 2020 6:04pm
I am not sure but you might be anorexic. Check it out and if other symptoms match your condition, try to get help as soon as possible. Do not starve yourself. Do not throw up everything you eat. If not, you might be dealing with stomach issues, which you might want to get tested for. Whatever the reason may be, know that it can be fixed. Have the strength and get yourself checked. It will be just fine. You will be fit and healthy in no time. Also, if it helps just try and focus on other things and not the food. Stay Safe!
peacefulLight8704
July 3rd, 2020 9:12pm
This depends on a lot. What’s making you feel like you should first of all? It’s possible that figuring this out can help you. It’s also possible that you may be in the beginning stages of an eating disorder. If this urge doesn’t stop or if you start acting on said urges, please do not hesitate to try to get professional help, as it can help you keep things in check so that nothing becomes dangerous to you. Eating disorders can be very dangerous and harmful, so if you feel at all at risk talk to someone. It’s better to get help as soon as you can.
Anonymous
July 25th, 2020 12:11am
There can be several reasons as to why you can't stop wanting to throw up the food you have eaten. In some cases anxiety causes you to not be able to keep the food in, and these people eat something light to not throw it up. Another reason as to why you throw up your food can be an eating disorder. Though I am not one to diagnose anyone, eating disorders do have the affect for a person to not want to eat, or if they eat, eat only a little. People with eating disorders also tend to throw up food if they have eaten too much. But again, I am not here to diagnose anyone.
BSWwork
October 1st, 2020 10:50am
There could be many reasons that you want to throw up your food. Maybe it is society, feeling you are lacking control in your life, or self loathing. The important thing to analyze is how do you feel when you are throwing up your food? If you feel good or bad, try to figure out why. It may be helpful to speak to a professional too if this something you want to continue to do. If it is one type of food, then you can avoid it but if it is all foods then that is dangerous since our bodies do need the nutrients in order to survive.
Anonymous
December 31st, 2020 3:09pm
This is a very hard and addictive habit. I can't answer, why you want to, but for many people it is because by doing so they hope to achieve a certain weight or body image. If this is the case, you have to ask yourself why it matters so much that you are a certain size. Why is it so important what the scale says? Why does your body have to be thinner? What do you hope to gain by doing this? Is it worth it to undernourish your body just to look a certain way? I have found that for me, being healthy is so much more amazing then being thin, but that is me. This is just my opinion but I hope it helps!💖
Anonymous
April 14th, 2021 8:02pm
The feeling of wanting to throw up your food is really tough. I am sorry that you are experiencing that. Sometimes eating and body image is really hard for people and thats okay. Your emotions and feelings towards eating are valid. Maybe ask yourself some questions. such as "Why am I doing this" "is this benefiting me?" It can be really good to pinpoint what making you do this action. Its a terrible feeling and I understand you want answers. I hope you get them soon. Keep your head up
mildaandstela
April 18th, 2021 10:47am
i know this is a hard and tough journey having an eating disorder. but it's up to person's will to want to get well. your concerns about the will of throwing up your food ensure that you know it's bad. you understand it's bad and you want to change it. it will for sure be hard. but the thoughts and attitude and will towards the wellbeing. just remember that you live and your body requires energy and that energy comes from the food. body is allowing you to live, to experience. take care of it. i know looks are very important, many of us are very concerned about body image / shape. but first comes the health. i'm wishing you so much good luck and i am sure you will fall in love with your body soon :)
WarriorDreams
August 7th, 2017 3:34am
Too much worrying about the wrong things. One should focus about their inner beauty rather than outer beauty. If vanity is not the issue then one should release the idea that they can control everything. It seems letting go is the ultimate way to get control over yourself.
Anonymous
December 2nd, 2015 10:39am
This act has become the norm for you - it's almost a ritual. So it feels unnatural to Not throw up food. You need yourself to get used to eating again, try eating regular small meals that are easy to swallow and soft.
Tiannalovesyou
April 4th, 2016 1:18am
I've struggled with this as well. At first, it was because I felt fat and I was so worried about gaining more weight that the thought of keeping food in my body disgusted me, Eventually, though, I think it simply became habit to feel that way. The way I got past is was to simply keep eating and it finally went away as I also learned to cope with my feelings of self doubt. Best of luck to you! Feel free to message me if you wish.
Hayles0111
September 22nd, 2016 12:32pm
You may be struggling with bulimia. It's mostly common in young teenage girls but anyone can suffer from it.
Anonymous
October 6th, 2016 8:53pm
Its an addictive thing to get into, as once you've done it once you will want to do it over and over again because you feel like its affective but in reality its ruining your throat.
Anonymous
October 20th, 2016 6:06pm
Quite possible that you are over conscious about gaining weight. It's important to go and diagnose the cause for uncontrollable vomiting. Anxiety disorders, depression and eating disorders like Bulimia nervosa etc are associated with the same. Other reasons could be gastric infection due to contaminated food/water etc.
CourageousSunset30
October 26th, 2016 2:55pm
How long have you been feeling this way? Can you tell me more about how you have been feeling outside of that?
marvelousBlossom86
March 24th, 2017 7:24am
Being used to throwing up food makes the body want it, almost like a reflex. In the case of that occurring, take a few moments to relax and evaluate why you want to throw up your food. If harmful thoughts to your own person occur, counter the harmful thoughts by telling as you would a good friend in the same situation. You will fail many times, but in time the urge will become weaker until it wanes completely.
AnActiveListenerHere
May 13th, 2017 11:49pm
If you have been throwing up food consistently, you should seek medical attention. It could be for something as simple as food poisoning that may need to runs its course but it could be something more. Please reach out and get help!
Anonymous
August 19th, 2018 4:07pm
Having an eating disorder can blind you. Trust me, I know. It's hard, and it eats at you until you are almost gone. Some people can't help it, because they know it's dangerous, but at the same time, you want so desperately to have the body you want, and it's hard for you to lose weight the healthy way. It becomes a habit for you someday, and a lot of habits are hard to stop. There is never a really good answer to this question, but I do know that you want to be "healthy" and skinny and beautiful so bad, that you never realize that you were always beautiful. You just never saw ti.
ThinkingTiger
November 25th, 2017 10:59pm
Having issues regarding eating and food can be such a horrible situation to deal with, not only do we need to eat to survive, but food is also something that should bring comfort and color to ones life. There can be many reasons for wanting to throw up your food, maybe its pressure from people around you, or society, that you should look a certain way, and you have kept telling yourself that eating is therefore bad for you, as you then dont live up to these expectations. It can also be if you have had very traumatizing experiences during dinner or other eating scenarios, and everytime you eat you then experience a lot of anxiety because you or your body recalls these bad experiences, and therefore you throw up from anxiety. There can also be a lot of anxiety from the before mentioned pressure that one can place on oneself, and this can also cause you to throw up.
philosopherqueen
December 31st, 2017 10:26pm
Bulimia is a highly complex issue, and the behavior is addictive, both physically and psychologically. It can begin with a desire to lose or maintain weight, but it often takes on a life of its own, spiraling out of control. Bulimia can also be associated with ridding oneself of sexual trauma—in a manner of speaking, making oneself “pure” again. In this light, it is easy to see how the behavior would become irresistible. It’s not just purging food: it’s extricating that “ yucky” feeling.
recoveringlistener
February 1st, 2018 5:07pm
When you have an eating disorder whether it be bulimia, purging disorder, anorexia (b/p or r/p), or EDNOS, anything that makes you feel the need to throw up your food, that urge isn't your fault. No matter the diagnosis it is still dangerous, but your brain can't rationalize that. I recommend visiting nationaleatingdisorders.org or reaching out to someone on 7Cups who can help with eating disorders
Yournotalone112
February 8th, 2018 12:40pm
well, when you purge more than once, it becomes a patturn, an adiction, and is hard to stop, i suggest finding a distrction
MoonlitHaze
February 15th, 2018 6:15pm
Bulimia Nervosa is usually considered not only a mental illness, but sometimes an addiction. Many times these actions give the person a feeling of reward and control, and these feelings can become addicting, making it easier and easier to go back to. It's important to break the cycle, reach out, and understand that you are not alone. Bulimia usually stems from a feeling of insecurity, poor self-image, and lack of control and say in one's life.
ashleighdianne
June 30th, 2018 10:26am
this is called purging, and it means you are struggling from some type of eating disorder. it is extremely hard, don’t worry, i understand, and there are so many listeners and therapists who are willing to help you here on 7 cups. my advice: take it slow and don’t put pressure on yourself, eat in small portions to let your stomach absorb the nutrients it needs, and drink lots of water. i know this method is commonly used for self harming, but it works. Everytime you feel the need to throw up, wait 5 minutes, count them, slowly, if after that you still feel like you want to throw up, wait another five minutes. focus on your breathing during this time. there’s a good chance the temptation will pass. there is always a listener on here to support you through this, don’t be afraid to ask for help❤️
CaravanDreams
July 1st, 2018 6:01pm
It could be for many different reasons, the best to do would be to consult with a specialized Doctor, a nutritionist, a generalist, a therapist.
Anonymous
August 12th, 2018 12:26pm
I think you may be thinking about it a lot even if you think your not it’s at the back of your mind. Overthinking doesn’t always help it could even cause anxiety