Expert: Joanne - 10/17/2007

Question
I am 16 and just started college and i am worried about my weight!I skip meals regularly apart from tea because my mum would notice! My friends worry about me and say i should eat more and my best friend says im anarexic. My mum annoys me all the time saying "im sure you've lost weight" but im not acturly covinced that i am anarexic! What do you think?

Thanks for the advice vix

Answer
I wouldn't be able to say whether or not you are anorexic.  There are criteria that Drs use in order to diagnose the eating disorder, and it is maybe worth asking him/her if you can be evaluated for an eating disorder.

It sounds as though you have disordered eating patterns, whether or not it is an eating disorder is something that only a well-trained Dr can tell you, but there are definitely issues there that need to be looked at, and possibly worked on before this develops.

Please think about talking to your mum, or a teacher/guidance counsellor at college, or even going to your Dr and be honest with them about how you are feeling!

Eating disorders can be fatal, and if you reckon that you may have a problem with one, it is important that you seek professional help.

Please come back if you want to talk about anything!

Holly