Bulimea and Anorexia have high co-morbidity with Personality Disorders. I am starting this thread for discussion and research, as well as personal support and a place of validation.

This is not so much a place to urge Anorexics to start eating or Bulimics to stop gorging and purging via laxatives or vomiting, but simply a place that might lead to some understanding .... a place to talk without judgement, without shaming, without coercion.

Teri

Hi Teri,
I'm a little confused. I'm sorry but I just wanted to ask about this in case I post something that's way off your topic because of my not understanding what you're suggesting. Like... if I wanted to post articles or information about anorexia and OCD or anorexia and Tourette Syndrome, would that be totally off topic? Are you meaning this thread is for people to discuss Personality Disorders and/with comorbid Eating Disorders such as Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa, or Bulimia and Anorexia separately. thanks in advance.

Hi Lara ....

Nope, no "rules" like that --- I am just hoping that, unlike the "weight issues" forum, those who post here can be assured that they do NOT have to post about wanting to gain weight, nor will they be urged to gain weight.

ALSO, no one has to stick to this thread -- I want to see LOTS of threads!! I just hope people label their threads clearly so others can find topics of interest -- my title, by the way, wasn't really the best, I guess.

The PD stuff was just a general topic of another tie-in... Originally I was going to reference an article after the part I had written myself, but I suddenly just realized that if I didn't go shopping, I wouldn't have any supper or anything to eat tomorrow!!

But THANK YOU for posting so I can go back and do some editing --- if I confused one person, it is guaranteed that I will confuse other people, too.

So POST IT ALL!!! I binge -- but I can't make myself vomit, can't see living a life of a box of Ducolax a day (like an old friend of mine), so I just gain weight and keep it...

Teri

OK. I understand now. I just wasn't sure.
A boy who was in my son's class at school was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa back in around Year 5 or 6. Well, I think he was actually diagnosed with OCD but he also had anorexia and that was very detrimental to his wellbeing indeed. It was at a time that my own son was experiencing a lot of health issues and I was spending heaps of time at school helping out with various things like reading and art classes in the primary school.

It helped me keep in touch with the people who were around my children all day and be around if my son wasn't doing well and also I enjoyed it. For many months I watched as this other boy started doing some really noticeable behaviours. He'd been bullied for being overweight (he wasn't very overweight at all, in fact, it was just that he was heavier than the group he was hanging out with at school who were all skinny as rakes and involved in athletics) in the earlier years and got to the stage where he was obsessively exercizing, even at school. He'd run up and down stairs over and over until he was exhausted... things like that. Everything progressed over the next year and he became very ill indeed and needed hospitalization and treatments.

It was a very difficult time for his whole family as well. I think about that boy all the time. He'd be about 20 years old now. I have no idea if he's doing well or not. It's just a reminder about how it's not only girls or women who have these issues and the bullying was certainly a trigger.

Hi Lara and Teri,
I am interested in what you all have to say about this topic because I hope to specialize in Eating Disorders one day, particularly with other mental health issues as well. I recently read an article in a magazine about a facility that is near my home that I would like to work at. I am not really sure what I could add to the topic though.

However, most eating disorders are caused by bullying or some association with food that is disturbing. Often cases are linked to parents that constantly remind their kids about dieting or those that model themselves after a parent that also has an eating disorder. Bullying is a big factor too, I actually know someone in my high school that was bullied and ended up switching schools and was shown on a news special for eating disorders. She said she used to eat lunch in the bathroom out of embarrassment. I think that eating disorders end up becoming a personality disorder in the long run since it becomes who you are. I am wondering about statistics with OCD since it seems like it is common too for those with eating disorders because of obsessive exercising or food rituals. I wish I knew more about it all. Have any of you seen those Australian twins on I think Extra? Tracy Gold from Growing Pains went to see them to help them out too.

I have diagnosed OCD and my doctor also thinks I also have anorexia . I am most likley getting an ng feeding tube on Friday, April 6, 2007 . Have a few questions: is it painful to get an ng feeding tube ? What does it feel like ? Can restraints be used if you ask for them (they calm me down)? Does the doctor sedate you?

T. J.

Hi T.J. You need to phone your doctor's office to speak with her/him about a couple of those questions. If he's not available, ask for a nurse. I needed to have a ng tube when I had an operation (hiatus hernia/diaphragm repair) many moons ago before they did keyhole surgery. It was supposed to be done when I was asleep in the operating theatre before the operation started but for some reason the staff made a big mistake and placed it when I was still in the ward and wide awake.

So, was it painful. No, I didn't find it painful. Was it very uncomfortable and weird, Yes. Once it's in place it's no big deal really but I was fortunate in that I only needed it for a few days. If I knew it was going to be done at the wrong time like they did it, I'd demand to be sedated. Just make sure you have someone with you when you go for the procedure and to drive you home afterwards. Gosh, best of everything for all that you're going through. Are you going to be in hospital afterwards, or are you going home with it in place?

I do not know how long I will be in the hospital. I may go home with it but probably will stay in the hospital (I hope). Not sure how long the tube will be in. This will be my 1st time getting a feeding tube of any sort! That's why I'm scared and also cuz I can't hold still for anything! Just very, very, very scared that's all!

T. J.

T.J.

I pray that you will have relief from the fear about this and that having the feeding tube will help to restore nutritional strength to your body

I agree with Lara on calling your doc's office and asking them to please be sure you are sedated for the insertion of the tube, and also to ask any other questions that are making you anxious

Feeding tubes are only ment for a short time in the nose...they could easily put one into your stomach for long term use and then take it out when it is not needed any longer.
Do you have a living will? And if you are over the age of 18? This would legally tell your family and doctor your wishes pertaining to your body. Do you feel that this is being forced on you?
Having an eating disorder is a mental health issue as you know.
this will take time for you to figure out with the help of a therapist and loving family support as well.
I am sorry that you are having to go thru this but am happy if this is what you want and are then going to reach some goals of yours to a more healthy life style.
I wish you well.
((((HUGS))))
bizi