Eating Disorder

I think my relationship ended with my boyfriend of 3yrs. I won't get into details or our history. My problem is that when I get super upset I don't eat. In fact, I have NOT eaten anything all day. It is funny, this morning I was so happy that I met my initial goal. Now I'm unbelievably sad. So, question--would this be considered an eating disorder? I just feel sad about the relationship that I just can't stomach to eat. Any thoughts?

Replies

  • Hildy_J
    Hildy_J Posts: 1,050 Member
    Firstly - I am so sorry! :-(

    It's called the 'break-up diet' and is the only damn positive thing that happens during this time. Low mood very commonly affects eating habits, some can't start, some can't stop.

    Take it easy, just try and eat something - you'll feel even worse if you don't. xx
  • Nope. Not eating one day is not an eating disorder. Eating disorders are mostly psychological where people have intensely wrong views of fat and their bodies and diets.
  • nope..
  • collingmommy
    collingmommy Posts: 456 Member
    Sorry to hear about u and him. But u should attempt to eat something. I've went days without saying, and I get even worse feeling them I did before! I recall one incident where me and my mom got into a fight one day before thanksgiving, that whole day all I ate was a small bowl of cereal. Then on thanksgiving day, I ate a handful of mashed potatoes. Wow! Alot huh? Lol.. any way no, your just stressed, I hope you and him fix it if u can/want to. Best of luck.
  • Do i have an eating disorder if i am always thinking about food and counting calories? Its not that i want to loose i just want to maintain my current weight and not gain. How do i stop worryig so much about calories
  • Siansonea
    Siansonea Posts: 917 Member
    It's not an eating disorder. It sounds like it's a by-product of your feelings about your former relationship. I went through something similar a billion years ago when I broke up with some dude. I got down to a size 2 without even trying, and everyone thought I had an eating disorder. I never even thought about food, and people with eating disorders are OBSESSED with food. Don't worry about it, just get through this emotional time, work on feeling better, and then you can gain weight if you need to, to get back to where you want to be. If you still need to lose weight after your appetite comes back, then this episode will just have been a little unintentional kick-start for your diet.

    BTW, the next dude will be better. And the one after him will be awesome. There's always another fella! :drinker:
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    Thank you. I've just cried and tried to sleep. I have drank water. I just feel too sad to eat. No appetite whatsoever. The worst part is we live together and I can hear him eating EVERYTHING in the house. It just makes me sadder. I know I will get through the breakup.I just don't need an eating disorder. Maybe tomorrow things will be different and I can stomach something.
  • Siansonea
    Siansonea Posts: 917 Member
    Thank you. I've just cried and tried to sleep. I have drank water. I just feel too sad to eat. No appetite whatsoever. The worst part is we live together and I can hear him eating EVERYTHING in the house. It just makes me sadder. I know I will get through the breakup.I just don't need an eating disorder. Maybe tomorrow things will be different and I can stomach something.

    You should really eat something tomorrow, several somethings. Just know that you were happy before he came along, and you'll be happy again after he's out of the picture, and what's most important right now is your own health and happiness. Eat things that are easy on your stomach if you're feeling nauseated. Treat this like you would a physical illness, as if you had the flu or something. You'd want to pamper yourself a bit under those circumstances, well, this should be no different. :flowerforyou:
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I think my relationship ended with my boyfriend of 3yrs. I won't get into details or our history. My problem is that when I get super upset I don't eat. In fact, I have NOT eaten anything all day. It is funny, this morning I was so happy that I met my initial goal. Now I'm unbelievably sad. So, question--would this be considered an eating disorder? I just feel sad about the relationship that I just can't stomach to eat. Any thoughts?

    Jay, I'm so sorry. Hugs to you.

    Many of us don't eat when we are upset. I was 23 when my mother died and could eat very little for a few weeks. I think a change in appetite is part of the grieving process for many of us.

    As for it being an eating disorder? I'm not a doctor, but I tend to think not. Now, if you still can't eat some weeks or months down the road, you might want to pay a visit to your doctor.
  • TheFitHooker
    TheFitHooker Posts: 3,357 Member
    Not at all. When I am stressed I use to indulge in things to take the pain of stress away, now my body has changes so much that when stressed or upset I either forget to eat or don't eat because I'm too focused on the problems going on. I've learned in all this to face my problems head on instead of cover them with food. I find it a healthier way, not saying that not eating is healthy at all, just that learning to face my problems head on is healthy. Now just if I could figure out how to eat as well when this happens.
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    I had an awkward day. Went to a birthday lunch with him and his parents. Didn't want to break the news to family. Didnt want to ruin rhe birthday. We fought the entire way to the restaurant. I sat and smiled the entire time. Kept quiet. I hate lying to people. Anyway, I did eat. I had a 6oz steak and baked sweet potato. Then when I got home it all came out of me. Breakups suck.
  • HRLaurie614
    HRLaurie614 Posts: 260 Member
    Oh, I'm so sorry. Let yourself be sad....you'll eat when you're hungry, but maybe at least try some juice or soup so you get some calories in you.

    Hugs to you!
  • I had an awkward day. Went to a birthday lunch with him and his parents. Didn't want to break the news to family. Didnt want to ruin rhe birthday. We fought the entire way to the restaurant. I sat and smiled the entire time. Kept quiet. I hate lying to people. Anyway, I did eat. I had a 6oz steak and baked sweet potato. Then when I got home it all came out of me. Breakups suck.

    So your purged your dinner when you got home? On purpose or just pure nausea? This is terrible to feel defeated and have lost your love...I'm so sorry...xxoo
  • I had an awkward day. Went to a birthday lunch with him and his parents. Didn't want to break the news to family. Didnt want to ruin rhe birthday. We fought the entire way to the restaurant. I sat and smiled the entire time. Kept quiet. I hate lying to people. Anyway, I did eat. I had a 6oz steak and baked sweet potato. Then when I got home it all came out of me. Breakups suck.

    What do you mean by it "all came out of you" ? Did you purge or just get nauseas and throw up as a side effect?
  • mortuseon
    mortuseon Posts: 579 Member
    If you're obsessing regularly about food and your appearance to the point that it is 'ruling your life', are regularly bingeing/purging/starving as a result and have a poor body image, then yes. If this was a one-off due to low mood, then no - but don't let it get any further than that. :)
  • kimosabe1
    kimosabe1 Posts: 2,467 Member
    I always drop weight when I break up....
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    I had an awkward day. Went to a birthday lunch with him and his parents. Didn't want to break the news to family. Didnt want to ruin rhe birthday. We fought the entire way to the restaurant. I sat and smiled the entire time. Kept quiet. I hate lying to people. Anyway, I did eat. I had a 6oz steak and baked sweet potato. Then when I got home it all came out of me. Breakups suck.

    So your purged your dinner when you got home? On purpose or just pure nausea? This is terrible to feel defeated and have lost your love...I'm so sorry...xxoo

    No. I didn't purge. I went #2. Lol. I guess not having food in my belly for 36hrs my belly didn't know what to do. I'm terrified of throwing up-thus why I won't ever have that eating disorder. When I get sad I have no appetite. Food typically sounds disgusting and again I have a fear of throwing up-I just don't eat. I do have 100% cranberry juice. I know I can stomach that.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I had an awkward day. Went to a birthday lunch with him and his parents. Didn't want to break the news to family. Didnt want to ruin rhe birthday. We fought the entire way to the restaurant. I sat and smiled the entire time. Kept quiet. I hate lying to people. Anyway, I did eat. I had a 6oz steak and baked sweet potato. Then when I got home it all came out of me. Breakups suck.

    So your purged your dinner when you got home? On purpose or just pure nausea? This is terrible to feel defeated and have lost your love...I'm so sorry...xxoo

    No. I didn't purge. I went #2. Lol. I guess not having food in my belly for 36hrs my belly didn't know what to do. I'm terrified of throwing up-thus why I won't ever have that eating disorder. When I get sad I have no appetite. Food typically sounds disgusting and again I have a fear of throwing up-I just don't eat. I do have 100% cranberry juice. I know I can stomach that.

    Same things happens to me when I get upset. Just hand in there, eat when and what you can, and allow yourself to grieve.
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    Awh, you sound just like me. I am the opposite of an emotional eater - if I am stressed or upset, I have zero appetite.

    Hang in there - there is nothing wrong with you. Stress affects everybody differently, and this is how it affects you.
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    Awh, you sound just like me. I am the opposite of an emotional eater - if I am stressed or upset, I have zero appetite.

    Hang in there - there is nothing wrong with you. Stress affects everybody differently, and this is how it affects you.

    EXACTLY!!!!! When I'm upset and stressed--I can't eat. I can only eat when I'm neutral or happy. Same with drinking alcohol. I can't drink when I'm sad. So bizarre!
  • Siansonea
    Siansonea Posts: 917 Member
    Awh, you sound just like me. I am the opposite of an emotional eater - if I am stressed or upset, I have zero appetite.

    Hang in there - there is nothing wrong with you. Stress affects everybody differently, and this is how it affects you.

    EXACTLY!!!!! When I'm upset and stressed--I can't eat. I can only eat when I'm neutral or happy. Same with drinking alcohol. I can't drink when I'm sad. So bizarre!

    Not really all that bizarre, but be glad that your body behaves this way. You're much less likely to become an alcoholic, for instance. I think you should take advantage of this period of diminished appetite, and work on improving your life and health. If you're going to have to "force" yourself to eat, well, you might as well make some healthier substitutions for your usual dietary choices. Use your psychological tendencies to your advantage. Alcohol can send your diet off the rails pretty quickly, so abstaining for awhile could be a great thing. If you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber, your overall well-being should improve, and by the time the sun comes out from behind the clouds, you'll be ready to enjoy the benefits of the work you've done during this time. :flowerforyou:
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    Awh, you sound just like me. I am the opposite of an emotional eater - if I am stressed or upset, I have zero appetite.

    Hang in there - there is nothing wrong with you. Stress affects everybody differently, and this is how it affects you.

    EXACTLY!!!!! When I'm upset and stressed--I can't eat. I can only eat when I'm neutral or happy. Same with drinking alcohol. I can't drink when I'm sad. So bizarre!

    Not really all that bizarre, but be glad that your body behaves this way. You're much less likely to become an alcoholic, for instance. I think you should take advantage of this period of diminished appetite, and work on improving your life and health. If you're going to have to "force" yourself to eat, well, you might as well make some healthier substitutions for your usual dietary choices. Use your psychological tendencies to your advantage. Alcohol can send your diet off the rails pretty quickly, so abstaining for awhile could be a great thing. If you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber, your overall well-being should improve, and by the time the sun comes out from behind the clouds, you'll be ready to enjoy the benefits of the work you've done during this time. :flowerforyou:

    Thank you :)