Expert: Meg - 8/23/2007

Question
Hey, I met this guy awhile ago, and i get nervous around him. Im normally fine at home, but when i start eating i get nauseous and dont want to eat, but i force myself to anyways. I have been eating less then normal, but i dont want to! I want to go back to normal! I do not think i am fat. Every day i will eat just a LITTLE bit more. Sometimes i will feel fine when i eat, other times nauseous. My mom doesnt know the reason (i think its from the guy) and she told me i probably had an eating disorder, and that scared me. ALOT. I knew the reason about a week ago when i was nauseous most of the day was because i was on my period, but now i am off it. I think it may be my hormones just settling down. I am also kinda weird, so i think it may be that im used to being nauseous from the previous week, so i feel that way now. My hormones still can be out-of-whack and thats why i STILL feel like this. I dont know how i will feel in a week, but im still scared. Is it really an eating disorder?

Answer
Hi Kaitlin,

Thanks for your question and I hope that I can be of help.

It sounds to me like you've met a guy whom you really like and its making you nervous, thus affecting your appetite.  This is actually not too abnormal and love often has such an effect (at least at first).  However, its great that you are aware of a possible problem and are looking out for yourself.

Since you don't think you are fat and are trying to eat a little more daily, then it sounds like you're doing great.  Hopefully, as you continue to get to know your guy, you will start to feel more comfortable and settled down.  

I don't know if you feel okay with talking to your Mom about the guy, but you might want to let her know what's up so that she's not worrying (and in turn worrying you).  I know that can be difficult sometimes, but it would at least put her mind at ease.

Anyway, I think its just the newness of your relationship, but I'm going to give you some links to some self diagnostic quizzes for eating disorders.  You might want to try one, just to put your mind at ease:

http://psychcentral.com/eatingquiz.htm

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/quizzes/eating_profiler.asp?cp1=1

http://www.prairiepublic.org/features/healthworks/disordered/quiz.htm

Hope this helps and please feel free to write anytime if I can be of further help.

Good luck with the guy!

Best,
Meg