I'm sorry you're struggling at the moment. I also have OCD and anorexia nervosa, and the two definitely go hand in hand. I have also noticed that when I'm struggling with the eating disorder, my non-eating disorder obsessions (mine are primarily contamination fears) get worse.

I think it is all definitely related, although it's complicated. My theory is that when we are struggling with our eating disorders and not doing well food-wise, the malnourishment increases obsessive thinking. If you look up the Minnesota Starvation Experiment, the men in that study reported all kinds of psychiatric symptoms (including increased anxiety and obsessions) when they were on restricted calorie intakes.

When I do better with my eating, my obsessions do not disappear, unfortunately. But I do find that I am better able to think rationally and the obsessive thoughts go away much quicker and don't bother me as much.

Are you being treated for both OCD and the eating disorder? I think a lot of times, clinicians will put off treating the OCD until the eating is under control, but I think it's important to make sure the OCD gets addressed as well, because like I said, the two feed into each other.

Hang in there...things will get better.

Wb theED, I missed you. That being said.
Yes I definitely think that when I don't eat well, right or enough that my OCD gets out of hand. Some of my things to do w/ my ocd go with my ed. In that there are some rituals that I do that are ocd with my anorexia. Like for example well I've always had a thing with numbers not liking odd numbers etc. So now with my eating I try to only eat an even number of something. Or if I can't do that then I try to leave an even number of whatever it is in the package. And when I go grocery shopping for myself I try to buy an even number of things but to have it come to an even numbers in cost. So as you can see my ocd is way out of hand in regards to my anorexia. message me if you want to talk. I'm still here for you. Take care and God bless you (((((hugs))))

Yes, I think I'm the same with you. I always have at least a bit of OCD, however it gets a lot worse when I'm in severe restriction/starvation mode. I guess it shows that your mind doesn't work the same without the proper nutrition, its just so so hard :'( My hands are red and dry and scaly from the amount of times I wash them, I hadn't even realised it had gotten so bad again. And with everything seeming to be dirty to me and getting mad at my family for such little things. I'm also similar I guess that the anorexia has its own 'rituals' as well, including weighing everything I eat, trying to make it an even number, because even numbers is a really big thing of mine too!!! Definitely have those contamination fears as well, like as if the calories I touch or breathe in or smell will somehow get into me and make me gain weight, it just gets so stressful at this time, I just can't reach out for help yet, I'm too high a BMI (19.25!!) .. :/ Which yes, I steal my parents hidden scales and weigh myself everyday when I get the chance because dad works at home, I have to do it at the time he goes out for anything and I get so stressed if he doesn't go out because then I don't know what I weigh and I might have gained weight or something, though I am only eating 24 calories a day.. :/

Never been diagnosed with OCD (I dont want to belittle anyones mental problems but it does seen that the US health care with its private insurance funding tends to fuel the dishing out of diagnostic labels and Im not entirely sure its a good thing) Anyway Ive experienced phases of "mild" compulsions outside of eating behaviours and of course eating disorders are obsessions with compulsive behaviours. I do believe your other rituals and compulsions are seriously affecting your well-being and I really hope you can find support (for example from the Anxiety or Mood Disorders Programme) because you really need to be supported (upwards) and not pushed or held (down). Help and understanding can be hard to access so go for it, if theres something on offer that could help you.

Im sure you know it but Ill say it again. Although a BMI of 18.5 is the officially low but still healthy figure only a small amount of people (natural ectomorphs) have the body structure that is healthy at such a low figure. A BMI of 19 or 20 or even more can actually be the ideal healthy and good looking size for a lot of people.

Well, it makes sense since they're both caused by anxiety, and wanting to gain control and feel better about yourself and life when life or things internally feel stressful or out of control, or maybe you don't feel good about yourself. Eds and OCDare unhealthy coping mechanisms, though. Ask your therapist about healthy coping mechanisms. Best to you