Expert: Nafeesah - 4/1/2009

Question
Okay, I'm 19 years old and for the last 3 years have been obsessing over my weight. Two years ago I started purging but stopped after I realized how much easier it was for me to just not eat rather than the alternative. (It just feels better).

So I'm not purging but usually go every (week)day without breakfast or lunch. I will eat whatever my mother gives me in the late evening(only hiding or avoiding food sometimes). In the last two weeks I've managed to go over 40 hrs without food three separate times.

However, I've started becoming more and more worried about myself. I'm tired all the time, light headed, and have noticed numbness or tingling in my arms and legs at random times. I've also missed my last period. (I have not been with anyone so it's defiantly not an indication of pregnancy.)

...my question is, am I seeing things that aren't actually there or, do I have reason to worry. Do I have a serious eating disorder or am I freaking out over nothing? Perhaps I'm in an early stage of an ED. I'd just like someone to tell me am I worrying over nothing? Please?

Answer
You don't have early stages of an eating disorder you're already there with the hiding of food and binging and purging when eating. If you're feeling light headed and other stuff going on that's your body's way of saying it needs nutrients. If you don't eat healthy your body can start taking nutrients from your muscles and even your bones to compensate for you not eating or taking in nutrients.