Expert: Ryan Hale - 1/27/2009

Question
i am 21 years old and i have a eating problem sometimes i do not feel like eating any food for a whole long day.sometimes after i eat i feel like throwing up are when i'm eating i feel like not eating any more.what can i do to start eating?because i do not want to get sicK please help me.

Answer
Simone- My area of expertise is disordered eating as it relates to sports and exercise.  My advice to you on this would be to find a counselor to talk to.  There are many who specialize in eating disorders and many more who are very familiar with the situation.  

The key is to find someone whom you really click with.  Many people take the advice to go to a counselor and then think it is unnecessary because it doesn't seem like it will help.  I recommend going to counselors until you find someone that really seems to get you.  Sometimes that may be 3 or 4 or more.

Rarely does disordered eating exist alone.  Usually there are other things in your life, things you may not even realize that are contributing.  Things like stress, family relationships, romantic relationships, abuse, and control issues by you or those around you.  A counselor will help you sort through it all and figure out the things that are contributing, the things that you can do something about and the people or situations that are not good for you that you need to avoid.

Also, talking to a nutritionist about food choices might help.  They can help you see how you may be seeing food as bad and good or that you may see some or all foods as something to avoid, rather than to see food as the fuel for you to be living your best life!

The Buddhists believe that God is everywhere in our world and therefore we have God in each of us.  You are a divine being with more potential than you know.  You can overcome this because you are worth it!  Please let me know how I can help further and how you are coming along.