Expert: Loren - 7/4/2007

Question
Hi, I'm in real need of some advice! I don't know if I have an eating disorder, and if so I can't think what- I'm not severely underweight and I don't vomit.
I seem to be on a cycle, every 2 years or so I will suddenly get a strong compulsion to severely restrict my food intake, which I will do for a good few months 'till I reach a size 10-12, then happy with that I will start to eat normally. Needless to say, I then put the weight back on and then start comfort eating, reaching size 18+.
Last August I started restricting calories again and by March this year was down to a size 10-12, happy with that I started eating again but this time am so scared of gaining weight that I am already restricting food intake again. I am 5'8" and currently weigh 141 lbs. I weigh myself obsessively, at least twice a day.
In the past I have taken large quantities of laxatives to aid weight loss, but ended up with IBS as a consequence.
I get headaches all the time and stomach cramps.
Any advice would be great as I seem to be locked in a mental battle with myself.


Answer
Hello Lizzi

It doesn't sound to me like you have a specific eating disorder. Maybe you have an ED-NOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified) but it sounds to me like yoyo-dieting.

In this case, I cannot give you much advice. I think you need to sort out a healthy diet for yourself so you don't need to severly restrict every year. I must say that to drop from size 18+ to 10-12 every year will not be doing your health any good.

Take care,
Loren