Bulimia and anxiety correlated?

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Replies

  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    haniame wrote: »
    kenyonhaff wrote: »
    haniame wrote: »
    Yes, huge correlation. I am on a mild, long term, anti anxiety med that helps immensely!

    I am so scared of being on anti anxiety meds. Probably the only reason that stops me from going to a psychiatrist

    There are many kinds of anti anxiety medications--and even if one does start using one you don't go on a heavy dose of anything right away. When they work, you feel...normal. Just normal.

    Remember that anxiety--real long-term anxiety--is a biochemical condition. It's just as much a physical condition as a thyroid condition. Sometimes it's enough to consult a counselor or have a really good support system or meditate...but sometimes it's not.

    What specifically are you afraid of about anti-anxiety medication?

    Weight gain. I know this may sound pathetic

    No it doesn't sound pathetic.

    It's part of the disorder you're dealing with, and I have some understanding of that. I was a binger, although I was young and pre-Internet and didn't figure out the binging part. It's not quite the same, I know, but it's not that different.

    Here's the thing: What IF you could be both feeling balanced, AND be a normal, healthy weight? It's totally possible!

    But at the moment, you might be unable to follow a healthy balanced diet and exercise regimen because your anxiety and eat disorder may make it impossible. It's like trying to train for a 5K with a broken foot--you have to address something that's not working properly first before you can embark on training because at best you won't succeed, at worst you will make things worse.

    Some anti-anxiety medications can lead to weight gain...but not all do and you can discuss your concerns with your psychiatrist if and when medicine is prescribed.
  • davidylin
    davidylin Posts: 228 Member
    haniame wrote: »
    Hi all. I had been clean of my Bulimic habits for more than 2 years now, but recently I have been getting anxiety attacks for days and along with that Bulimic episodes. I don’t know how to control myself. Tbh most of the time i don’t even binge but still find myself purging.
    I need someone to help me out of this.
    Has anyone felt the same way about the relationship between bulimia and anxiety? If so, please feel free to share your experiences or any advice that would help.

    Anxiety is like the business partner of many behavioral difficulties. Each one can trigger the other and both make the other one that much more miserable.

    Control is not always something you can exert in a moment, like what your weight is from day to day, but remember that you can have overall control over a period of time - over the trend. This difficulty may rock your world for a while, but look to your future and when you are able, you can get back on the horse.

    While you are riding out the storm, I can only recommend that you watch out for things that trigger your emotional and physiological responses and try to see what you can do to avoid, mitigate, or dampen the shock waves that roil your life. Every storm breaks eventually and sometimes we can even enjoy the wild ride.
  • haniame
    haniame Posts: 97 Member
    haniame wrote: »
    haniame wrote: »
    I think anxiety is a huge contributor to a backslide into disordered habits. I know for me, anxiety is the single greatest thing that makes me inclined to binge. Do you have a professional you can speak to?

    For me too!!! And no, the last time i was in such a situation i got out of it myself with my willpower, i know i can do it this time too. I’m getting married in 8 weeks and i would feel REALLY EMBARRASSED to go to a therapist at this point

    There's nothing you should be embarrassed about. It's a very serious and emotional thing to go through. On top of that it's extremely hard to go through that. I have depression and anxiety. Depression? Not so much anymore but my anxiety is terrible. I think it also puts a stress on me most "normal" people wouldn't because it does lead to me having a binge. I've had the willpower to stop myself from going absolutely overboard but I have had soda which I swore off a long time ago because I can't control that. I never had bulima or any of that. But I did have a bad case of body dysmorphia and that's a hard thing to overcome. I'm not sure if I have completely overcome it today but all in know in today's society it's much more common for people to have eating disorders and mental disorders because of the unrealistic terms set forth to us by the media/fashion industry/friends/ family/ models.

    I have a serious fear of getting overweight by the time it’s my wedding even though i know that’s impossible because for that to happen I’d have ti gain around 25-30 lbs in the next 8 weeks (GOD FORBID).
    Also, what exactly is body dysmorphia?

    Body dysmorphia is when you seen yourself different from everyone else. It's basically like if I weighed 100 pounds I look in the mirror and see a 200 pound woman it's hard to explain. But basically your mind plays tricks on you thinking you're skinnier or more fat than you actually are which leads to eating disorders.

    That’s what i thought. Godd it must be so difficult for you!!!
  • haniame
    haniame Posts: 97 Member
    kenyonhaff wrote: »
    haniame wrote: »
    kenyonhaff wrote: »
    haniame wrote: »
    Yes, huge correlation. I am on a mild, long term, anti anxiety med that helps immensely!

    I am so scared of being on anti anxiety meds. Probably the only reason that stops me from going to a psychiatrist

    There are many kinds of anti anxiety medications--and even if one does start using one you don't go on a heavy dose of anything right away. When they work, you feel...normal. Just normal.

    Remember that anxiety--real long-term anxiety--is a biochemical condition. It's just as much a physical condition as a thyroid condition. Sometimes it's enough to consult a counselor or have a really good support system or meditate...but sometimes it's not.

    What specifically are you afraid of about anti-anxiety medication?

    Weight gain. I know this may sound pathetic

    No it doesn't sound pathetic.

    It's part of the disorder you're dealing with, and I have some understanding of that. I was a binger, although I was young and pre-Internet and didn't figure out the binging part. It's not quite the same, I know, but it's not that different.

    Here's the thing: What IF you could be both feeling balanced, AND be a normal, healthy weight? It's totally possible!

    But at the moment, you might be unable to follow a healthy balanced diet and exercise regimen because your anxiety and eat disorder may make it impossible. It's like trying to train for a 5K with a broken foot--you have to address something that's not working properly first before you can embark on training because at best you won't succeed, at worst you will make things worse.

    Some anti-anxiety medications can lead to weight gain...but not all do and you can discuss your concerns with your psychiatrist if and when medicine is prescribed.

    Thank you so much!!! I will definitely keep this in mind