Are you extremely concerned with your eating – perhaps too much?  If you starve yourself, or follow extremely limited calorie consumption, or binge and then make yourself vomit, or compulsively overeat, it’s time to get help.

Eating disorders are very real, and dangerous.  Pressures from our culture to be thin and perfect are very real as well.  Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to face the reality about yourself.  You may be caught in a very self-destructive habit and not able to see it, or unable to face it.

Some danger signs:

— a extreme focus on weight, putting almost everything else aside
— preoccupation with being thin or even skinny
— an exaggerated fear of gaining weight
— a thin body coupled with the feeling of still being fat
— over-exercising: over an hour a day
— taking laxatives to lose weight
— making yourself vomit to eliminate food
— instances of overeating without control, on a regular basis
— loss of menstrual cycles
— strange rules about food; bizarre food rituals
— feeling ashamed about eating, or bingeing/purging, or about your looks or self
— regular feelings of anxiety, fear or inferiority
— feeling a loss of control about the world, your life, your body
— feeling a sense of control over things through food and eating behaviors

If you are experiencing some or any of these danger signs, please don’t allow yourself to feel even worse and sink deeper into the problems.  Talk to someone who can help.  Don’t worry that your cannot afford it – there are many clinics, hospital or religious programs that offer free, confidential services.  You may want to speak to your doctor, nurse practitioner, therapist, pastor or counselor.

As always, I recommend asking God for help, too, in addition to seeking help from medical and behavioral specialists.

Here’s a couple of articles in the New York Times about eating disorders that may be of interest and help.

“When Eating Disorders Strike in Midlife”
By RANDI HUTTER EPSTEIN

“Exploring Treatments for Eating Disorders”
By RANDI HUTTER EPSTEIN

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