Is this an eating disorder?

Is this an eating disorder? My roomie is my exercise buddy, because we both have the exact same weight loss/fat loss goals. And recently, this is what I've noticed:

One some days, she eats literally a 100 calories of something super healthy and goes to the gym about 3 times PER DAY, and then on other days she gets ravenous and eats over 2,000 calories (which is way way above her TDEE) of Mcdonalds and that kinda food, and then the next few days again it's the same 100 cal diet, a weird cycle. She's started taking laxatives too and has been researching lots of diet pills and keeps talking about it.

I can't say it's anorexia, because it's followed by binge eating, so I don't know? Also, like me, she's not over weight, but her body fat is way too high, so I don't know what's going on? Should I tell someone, or get her help because clearly I'm no specialist..?!

Replies

  • Kitship
    Kitship Posts: 579 Member
    Sounds like some form of an eating disorder to me. If I were you, I would keep doing what you're doing. She'll see your success, and hopefully change her ways! :smile:
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Yes, it sounds like she needs help, from a professional.
  • rk_19
    rk_19 Posts: 92
    Gaah okay thank youuu both
  • Sounds like a subtype of anorexia which involves binge eating. She needs professional help. Good luck!!
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    Not sure if it is a eating disorder, just sounds like stupidity. With that said I'd be willing to bet she is gonna run out of steam on her own here shortly. Unless of course she is a closet eater which is entirely possible as well.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    not sure if I got the whole story but the alternating part sounds like one interpretation of "IF" trends...Intermittent Fasting...the pill part definitely is more alarming...
  • Fenrissa
    Fenrissa Posts: 116
    To me it sounds like anorexia binge-purge sub-type. I'd suggest she talk to a professional before it gets worse.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    It's disordered eating but I'm not sure it's an eating disorder. Eating disorders are very complex control disorders. I would talk to her to see where her head is at with it before calling her out on an ED.

    My hope would be that she gets some professional advice on how to work on her disordered eating BEFORE it turns into something more dangerous.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    She's started taking laxatives too and has been researching lots of diet pills and keeps talking about it.

    I'm sorry - I completely missed this part. Yes, she has a problem. I would talk to her and possibly someone else who cares about her. Abusing laxatives will screw her system up royally and it's a really miserable way to live.
  • If she's not underweight then that is Bulimia, as although she isn't making herself sick, she's still doing compensatory behaviours such as working out obsessively and restricting, which is a form of purging.

    She should ask her Doctor to refer her to an eating disorder clinic. And it would help if you spoke to her about it and maybe looked at the symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa to show her that she definately has an eating disorder.

    (I had Bulimia for 1 year and Anorexia for 3)

    Good luck x
  • sugarmagnolia55
    sugarmagnolia55 Posts: 12 Member
    I agree with most everyone else in saying yes, this definitely is disordered eating. I would also add to please be there for your friend and support her! Help her find a professional to speak to. Ask her what's going on in her life. Don't judge her.

    As a recovering bulimic, I can tell you it is really scary to open up to people about these problems, as they have a huge social stigma attached to them. Remember that you're her friend, and while you don't have to solve her problems, you can help her overcome them.

    Take care of yourself, too! Keep up with the healthy eating/exercise/lifestyle, and maybe you can inspire her to make positive changes.
  • Twinmamamarion
    Twinmamamarion Posts: 33 Member
    100 calories?

    Even if you meant 1000, this doesn't sound healthy.
  • Yes, it sounds like she may have EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified) pretty much anorexia with bulemic tendencies. She needs to seek help from a therapist right away before it gets worse!!!!
  • Iknowsaur
    Iknowsaur Posts: 777 Member
    Not sure if it is a eating disorder, just sounds like stupidity. With that said I'd be willing to bet she is gonna run out of steam on her own here shortly. Unless of course she is a closet eater which is entirely possible as well.

    I agree.
    When I was totally out of control with my eating, I'd have binge days, freak out, then try to balance it out by basically starving myself the next day. I would also sneak a lot of food, because I hated it when people saw me eating. I actually still don't like it when people watch me eat, but that's just a personal preference.
    If you're really concerned, then talk to her about. But for the love of god be prepared for the conversation.
  • milk_n_cookies
    milk_n_cookies Posts: 7 Member
    i think she might have ednos as a person with an eating disorder myself but just wanted to say in regards to earlier comments that she doesn't have to be underweight as not all eating disordered people are underweight !
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    This thread is from 2014---8 years ago. The OP has not replied to a thread since that time.