Sometimes food just sucks

Eating Disorders Forum

Even still, at the age of 23, even though I've never been diagnosed with an eating disorder, sometimes I can't put food to my face. I'm a 23 year old guy, small for my age, but even smaller for the fact that I don't eat enough. Even when there's nothing in my stomach and my body is weak and I have one of those hunger headaches, I can't eat. I know that's not the same thing... as a real eating disorder... but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Sayzak,

Are you a high-stress kind of person?

We've all heard of emotional eaters. A lot of people can't do anything but eat during times of high-stress.

I have always been the opposite. Food is the very last thing I want near me when there are things going on in life. It's not that I don't recognize that I need to eat in order to stay healthy, but during a time of high-stress, I sometimes don't even recognize that I haven't eaten in days until I start to become weak and lightheaded. Then I take the time to think about when the last time I ate something was. When I realize that I haven't eaten in a few days, trying to shove even a small amount of food into my mouth can be a bit of a challenge.

Thankfully, that doesn't happen much anymore. I have learned to get my anxiety under control, which helps in all other areas. My problem was, and occasionally still is, that I can't slow my spinning wheels down long enough to focus on basic things, like eating, until the high-stress situation has been resolved.

Yeah... that's me... I've got a real bad case of... umm... "unable to stop thinking" I guess... what's that called? I live in my head... I barely sleep. Barely eat.

Oh yes, during the high-stress times of not eating, there is also no sleep either. It feels like your brain is running a perpetual marathon. A bad case of "unable to stop thinking" is the best term I've ever heard to describe it. It feels like a plague, doesn't it?

Unfortunately, the only time I am able to stop the wheels from spinning, is when I have reached the point of physical exhaustion. At that point, sleep is the only option and eating something is usually only an option after I have allowed myself to sleep and my physical strength recovers.

Have you talked to your doctor about it? He/she may be able to suggest ways for you to help slow the wheels down. I am learning that finding ways to get it under control has been like learning how to breath. It's a struggle, but the air really is refreshing when it isn't a whirlwind.

I stayed up all night. Busy contimplating how I'm going to pull off a series of miracles. Trying not to dwell on how people more fortunate than myself have such short-sighted and redundant words of advice in terms of money. When their parents are paying their tuition, rent, car payments, cell phone bill, and buying their groceries for them... they have time to think about other things. I on the other hand have more bills than they do, and I live in my parents basement. I'd feel delighted to live in their shoes. Ohhhh would I.

Oooops, tangent.

I don't have any insurance. 23 year olds who aren't in school and don't have a real job are considered nothing more or less than a drain on society.

Physical exhaustion hasn't even been able to help me lately. The other night I was sure I was done, totally wiped out, dizzy and incoherant, forgot my own name, didn't care... so I walked over to my bed and fell down--onto a bed of nails. Couldn't find a comfortable position. Couldn't catch my breath. Layed there for hours. Got up, putsed around on the computer some more. Layed back down. Nothing. Repeat. Finally crashed, for a few hours. Woke up in the middle of the afternoon unsure what year it was. Felt groggy and sick all day. Eyes won't focus. 14 hours later, here I am. The sun is coming up. I've got errends to run. no gas in the car. $3 in the bank. About $600 in bills. And another $500 on the way. Just got fired/I quit (long story). Can't remember the point. Forgot what I was supposed to do today. Sip coke.

Found a popsical stick with a joke on it:

What is the most musical part of a Turkey?

Answer: The Drumstick.

...Was that a stupid joke or am I too tired to see the humor?

It's a joke that I would have been convinced was funny with little or no sleep, too. At least you haven't turned dyslexic due to no sleep yet, or did the spell check help with that?

Sounds like you have a lot going on. In that kind of state, it is a surrealistic feeling that I don't think even Dali could have depicted on the finest canvas.

I hope you're able to sort some things out soon, if for no other reason than to eat, sleep and have some peace of mind.

A good way to clear your head and burn off some steam is to go running or do whatever exercise you like. It gives you time to take your mind off things and will probably help you sleep better at night. You need to find something that will calm you down, if you are not so stressed you will begin eating and sleeping again. Hope that helps. Let us know what works.

Good suggestion, Ollie23.

If it works for some people, then it is definitely worth doing, although I do some aerobics instructing and am usually into a lot of other physical fitness. Sometimes, it only charges me up more.