Is it possible to have anorexia if you're not underweight? I'd have to lose (what I think is) a lot of weight to be underweight for my height - 1 1/2 stone (20lb/9kg) and it's just really upsetting that people don't believe I can have anorexia, it's about more than just weight :( JA xxx

Anorexia is more than weight.

Anorexia is a MENTAL disorder. Also keep in mind that not every eating disorder is anorexia. There are plenty of variations that fall in the EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) category. 

In the end it’s never about your weight, it’s about how you feel about yourself and how you look at food. 

I know it’s a lot to ask you not to let people’s opinions get to you because it’s harder said than done but in the end, your health is what matters. Focus on yourself and contact a doctor or therapist if you think you’re losing control. 

JJ

Hi this is for JJ really because she's a fellow hoser :) I just wanna know what are some safe alternatives to cutting?

Pens! 

I’ll often use a permanent marker|Sharpie (in red of course) and slowly slide it across the skin. The trail of red will be reminiscent of blood and the fact it’s permanent will make sure it’s still there for a few days. It gives you time to assess the line. Was it really necessary? Do you even remember why you were so upset that day? Time is really what I need. I need to think over the decision because I have very rash thinking. In the end, most of the time I’m glad it eventually washes off and that I don’t have a scar to remind me that I broke down. I hope this helps.

JJ

what classifies as having an ED?

There are a lot of questions in our inbox that are along these lines, and as I’m going through the inbox I think it would be best to just answer this question as a guideline to anyone else who may be wondering the same thing.

I am not a doctor. I will not pretend to be one. On Wikipedia it says “Eating disorders are conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual’s physical and mental health.” If you are unsure of whether or not you have an eating disorder, you could take online tests, but these results may not always be accurate. The best way to find out what is going on is to consult a medical professional, who can determine whether or not you have an eating disorder and to get you help. 

x. Dana

i'm 310 calories over my limit, help? what do i do??

Breathe. It’s ok. Just take deep breaths. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but it’s not the end of the world. I promise. We’ll get you through this, I promise.

x. Dana

Every single online eating disorder test I've taken has told me I am anorexic or have strong tendencies but I don't believe it bcos I am simply too fat to have an ed like this, idk what to do, I wanna tell somebody bcos I want to know for definite but I don't want them to help me bcos ill just keep gaining

A common misconception about eating disorders is that you need to be bones to have one. An eating disorder can be classified as any abnormal eating patterns such as binging, purging, or restricting, just to name a few. Eating disorders can effect anybody regardless of body type or size. And I know it’s hard, but you have to tell someone. Even if you’re not sure if you have an eating disorder or not, if you tell a doctor you can get a more definite answer as to what’s going on, as well as appropriate help so that you can go back to normal eating patterns again. The last thing you want is for this to spiral out of control before you can get help.

Stay Strong <3

x. Dana

can we have a few tips on how to lose weight healthily?

• To lose weight healthily, you need to make sure to take in the correct caloric intake for the first part. For those of us who focus on the calories- yep, it’s not just you, I do it too- that means a goal of 2000 calories a day. That means limiting sugars and junk food, but not cutting out everything. Ball up your hand into a fist. That’s the amount of protein ((meats)) that you should take in every day. When you look at your dinner plate, approximately half of the plate should be either fruits or vegetables, one quater protein ((like that serving of protein and meat that we just mentioned)), and the final quarter should be grains. 
• So many people think that the key to dieting and losing weight is completely cutting out carbs and grains, but if you stay to whole grains and regulate the intake of your grains, they’re vital to your health. Starches give you the extended amount of energy that your body needs to preform vital life processes. 
• Last thing in terms of dieting, everything is about proportion and moderation. Don’t deprive yourself of junk food, just try to limit the amount of junk food you consume. If you completely cut yourself off, you’ll find yourself crashing and binging ((I know from experience)). Also, don’t try and view it as a way to lose weight, view it as a way of improving your lifestyle to something more balanced and healthy.

Exercise

• Second tangent of losing weight HEATHILY is to exercise about a half hour every day. For a lot of us it’s hard to get outside and do something active, but it will get easier. When it comes to exercise, you want to push yourself, but NOT TO YOUR BREAKING POINT. It’s also important to exercise within your limits, because I know many people over do it on the exercising and wear themselves out and get hurt.

It’s the combination of a healthy diet and exercise that will give you the body you want in a healthy, controlled way. It will take hard work and time, but it will be worth it.

I hope this helps???

x. Dana