Do I have an eating disorder? Please Answer.?

Ok, well I just turned 15. I am 5'1" and 105 pounds. I am desperatley trying to lose weight ven though i am a size 0. I just feel so fat. People tell me I'm tiny but when I look in the mirror I see this giant ugly ogre like thing. I want to weigh a lot less. maybe 10 pounds less. Also, I fel really really guilty whenever I eat anything that isn't super healthy. Even sometimes when I do eat healthy food. Like last night, my family went to Dairy Queen, and I almost cried cuz I didnt want to cheat on my diet but I wish I were normal and could eat like everyone else. I know I brought this on myself by wanting to have a great body, but now I'm stuck and it's just getting worse. It has been going on for about a year and has gotten really really bad over the last month. Do I have an eating disorder?

You have an eating disorder if you already look thin and you have perceptions of yourself of being too fat. By what you're describing, you definitely have an eating disorder. It's called Anorexia Nervosa, and it affects many teens. This is mainly because teenagers, particularly girls, want to look beautiful, sort of like the bodies of Hollywood actors. They often compare themselves to other people thinking that the "grass is greener over there", so they go on constant dieting because the media tells them that "Thin is beautiful".

What you're worried about is that if you eat something that has a lot of fat and/or sugar in it, you're going to get too fat. As much of a problem as obesity is in our culture, the problem you have is that you are obsessed about food, so it's not just fatty or sugary foods you want eliminated from your diet, it's any kind of food. Why do you still want to lose weight? If you lose ten pounds, you will weigh only 95 pounds, so what are you going to say then? Will you say that you want to lose 10 more pounds and weigh 85 pounds?

I'm afraid you are entering very dangerous territory, at least for your physical health. Fortunately you said in your question that you wished you were normal and could eat like everyone else. It seems that you are at least aware of your problem, so I'm going to suggest to you that you reach out and get some help overcoming the eating disorder you have. You could probably start by talking to your parents about this and possibly your doctor or other health care provider. They may refer you to a counselling service that could help you further by helping you to rehabilitate and overcome the anorexia you have once and for all. Many people have gotten the help they needed to overcome this disorder and are leading happier lives today because of it.

I hope this helps you somehow, and I hope you seek help soon. Admitting that you are weak inside is no easy task, but it is always worth it in the end. That is where true strength comes from, and the people who have been there are glad they sought the help they needed to grow stronger.

Best of wishes to you now and in the future.

Yes, you do have an eating disorder. Wanting to eat healthy food isn't a bad thing, but constantly wanting to lose weight is a problem. No matter how gorgeous you really look, you won't feel good about yourself until you actually start thinking that you look good. Being skinny won't automatically make you look nice. It also depends on your clothes, and most importantly, your personality. Please either go seek help, or start viewing yourself in a more positive manner.

please seak help immediatley!