Expert: Joanna Lhulier, Psy.D. - 6/9/2008

Question
So for the past mabye 4 years ive been chewing up food and spitting it back out. im 18 now, and did it when i was about 14 after i started going to gym becuase i was overweight as a child. i lost my excess weight, and after i went to the gym i started chewing&spitting out to keep it off. it was only a little at first, but after my family moved i started it alot more. i do it everyday now, with anyhting frm cookies and candy to sandwhiches to hot food. and its probably more than i actually consume. but i still eat and swallow food during the day. whenever im hungry and i feel that i shouldnt be eating i chew and spit. and if i cant do that cuz im in public i try seperating myself from the group or i just dont eat at all. i refuse to eat late at night even if im starving, and the most that i would do is drink hot chocolate with milk.

i know tht it is bad, but is this risking my health at all or anything? im pretty sure i cant become anorexic becuase ii love to taste the food, and ii cant make myself throw up - i already tried.

Answer
Hi Haley-
It sounds like you have a tough problem here.  You did not mention how all of this is making you feel and/or whether it is helping you.  I am getting the sense that c/s does not bother you too much unless you are around people, but I may be wrong.

To answer your question directly, I do not think you are risking your health by chewing and spitting unless you are not taking in enough calories or you are severely underweight.  The actual act of chewing and spitting is not that disastrous to your health.  However, it can take a toll on your emotional well being.  Haley, I think you need to take some time to think about why you are being so hard on yourself and whether it might be helpful to talk to someone.  It sounds like since the move things have been stressful and it might be a good idea to get some extra support.  I would recommend a therapist with the some experience working with EDs.

Let me know if you need help finding one.  I wish you the best of luck.
Take Care,
Dr. Lhulier