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Anorexia Nervosa
I know there's many symptoms of anorexia nervosa, but can you have it without being underweight and dangerously skinny? Because I have all the symptoms of anorexia besides being borderline thin. I am thin, but have a healthy weight.
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Actually, I have to correct Southern_Chickety. To be diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa, you do indeed have to be at least 15% underweight, have lost your period for more three consecutive months, as well as fulfill other criteria.
However, you may well fall under EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) criteria. EDNOS is, as is implied by the name, for persons whose eating is clearly disordered but who do not meet criteria for other eating disorders. For example, this could include someone who exhibits Anorexic-like symptoms but is not underweight or has not lost her period, it could include someone who binges and purges less than the minimum frequency to be considered Bulimic, or other variations.
What's important, however, is not the name you give your disease. If you're concerned about your eating habits, you should talk to someone. The sooner you get help, the easier it will be to heal. Please don't wait.
-Daimeera, 21/female
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Technically you do not have to be extremely thin to be anorexic. I was anorexic and extremely thin, but anorexia is a mental disease which then has negative effects on an individuals body.
If you look at yourself in the mirror and see all of this excess fat that isn't really there, if you excercise like crazy, get disgusted at the sight/smell/mention of food, pick apart your food and barely eat any, are more self conscious than the average person about your appearance, mostly regarding weight, etc then you may be in the early stages of anorexia.
I have never personally seen an anorexic person who was not thin (because anorexia is, in my own words, a fear of gaining weight and when you can actually look into a mirror and see nonexistant fat...).
If you fear that you are on the path to becoming anorexic I would tell someone. It is such a difficult disease to overcome. There, in my opinion, is no such person as one who has recovered from anorexia nervosa. It is a daily struggle to be able to look at food, smell food, talk about food, and even more so, eat food.
If you truly feel like you may be developing this disease I would speak to a teacher, councilor, parent, friend, etc. Find someone who can help you before it's too late.
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