Am I anorexic or just eating disordered?

Im 19 yrs old and weigh 115lbs. Until this year, I normally weighed under 100 lbs, the highest being 98lbs and the lowest being 90 lbs. Im 5'2. I think that Im chunky but everyone says that I just look normal and that I was a little too thin before. I never thought I had an eating disorder when I was thinner but thinking back I really only ate one meal a day because I was afraid of what people would think watching me eat (I was in school at the time) I thought they would think I was fat or that I ate like an animal or something. Now that Im in college I normally just eat with family or friends, but I still think Im fat because I used to wear size 0 jeans and now Im lucky to squeeze into a 4. So whats the deal, am I anorexic or is it just something else? Thanks

Your diagnosis would technically be "Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" at this point.

A dx of anorexia technically requires a BMI of 17.5 or below (yours is 21), distorted body image (you've got that in spades, unfortunately), and absence of menses.

You would be wise to go ahead and get yourself into counseling. Whether or not your specific symptom cluster places you diagnostically in the anorexia nervosa category matters little.

What DOES matter is that you have an eating disorder, and that eating disorders rarely (almost never) improve on their own.

Since you're in college, there is a good chance that you could avail yourself of free counseling resources on campus. It is one of the few times in life that psychotherapy (perhaps even someone who specializes in EDs, as EDs are frighteningly common in college campus settings) may be available to you for free or VERY low cost.

I really encourage you to pursue counseling. Nip this in the bud NOW, before it has a chance to really take hold and destroy your whole life.

Hang in there,
~M~ Source(s): occupational hazard

You don't sound anorexic to me at all. But it is really unhealthy mentally to dwell on 'disorders' that you might have all the time. It paves the way to an unhealthy life. You don't have to eat three meals a day. I certainly don't. I usually have two meals a day and I am far from even my ideal weight, never mind am not anorexic. Some people have more appetite than others. As long as you aren't making yourself barf, eating just one lettuce leaf or something, then don't worry about it. If you eat one meal, make sure it is packed full of really nutritious things like green veggies and lean protein. You are not a size zero any more because you are in a woman's body and not the body of a child. Celebrate it. as long as you don't drop below 100 lbs you are just fine.
You definately have issues with food that need to be acknowledged and taken a look at. I dont know if you have insurance but you should really see a psychologist and a dietrician because you have a fear of getting fat and are depriving yourself of the right amount of food you shold eat simply because you have this fear about food.
If your 19, your healthy weight would be 130 or 136 at least!! Im 16 and i wear a 7. Thats not too small but its good for girls my age. you should at least be in a 7 or 9. YOUR NOT HEALTHLY AT 98 POUNDS!
It sounds like you are on the start to an eating disorder, before things get out of hand , you need to speak to a counsler, doctor, or nutritionist. Eating disorders can ruin you're life, not to mention cause an early death. Please go speak to someone. hope this helps
You have what we in my family call an "unhealthy relationship with food." Your body is going to change and grow as you get older. Size 4 is great. The problem with eating one meal a day is that as you get older, your metabolism slows down. By eating less food,less often, you are actually going to GAIN weight. Talk to a nutritionist. I think you've got a good head on your shoulders. You can figure this out on your own. Just get some healthy eating tips online.