Expert: Ryan Hale - 11/15/2009

Question
My friends have started to worry about me. A few years ago I stopped eating but I got over it but now the sight of food makes me feel like I am about to vomit. I eat small portions just so not to worry my mum but I can't stand eating food.
Do you think I could be developing an eating disorder?

Answer
Chloe-  I'm not sure what kind of treatment you may have gone through the first time (if any), but if there are any unresolved issues that continue to make you want to change the way you feel by replacing those feelings with the feelings from the eating disorder, then the disorder won't go away.  Sometimes those feelings come from a history of abuse, sexual abuse, very, very controling life situation, or relationship issues.  If you still have feelings about food and it's place in your life, you may still have some things to work on.  Don't despair though, taking a step backwards is part of the getting-better process.  The time you spent being "over" your last issue was not wasted.  Take the opportunity to re-visit anything that may still be bothersome (past issues, relationships, etc).  I don't know if what you are experiencing meets the clinical definition of an eating disorder and I won't pretend to know all about you from a brief email, but I will suggest talkingto a therapist about your current concerns and how they are effecting you right now.  Please consider talking to a counselor about it.