Eating Disorders Support Group

Eating disorders are marked by an obsessive need to control the intake and/or purging of food. This community is dedicated to those struggling on the road to recovery. Join to discuss your experience with others and find support. Get advice, ask questions, and meet others who are going through similar struggles.

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Mental Health
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To be diagnosed..

livelovered
livelovered
In order to be diagnosed with anorexia, i read that one must miss their period for at least three months in a row.
My question is, if someone who eats about 400 calories consistently for a long span and still gets very light periods, does that mean they aren't anorexic?
deleted_user
deleted_user
no that doesn't mean you do have a problem
deleted_user
deleted_user
the same thing happened to me. its still an eatind disorder
deleted_user
deleted_user
There is a general category, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, which a person who has disordered eating may fall under (restricting, bingeing, purging), and there is Anorexia Nervosa, which is a very specific ED. Regardless of a person's signs and symptoms only a professional can diagnose any kind of eating disorder based on several symptoms and behaviors, not just eating habits and menstrual cycles.
asisbeauty101
asisbeauty101
no it does not mean they dont have a problem. and from what i've heard they are trying to get that criteria changed because when you think about it, what if you are on birth control? or a guy? then it would be impossible for you to meet that criteria. hope this helps
AuntTammie
AuntTammie
The new DSM is definitely changing the criteria. Here's a quote about that from the Cleveland Center for EDs that explains why, "The diagnosis for Anorexia Nervosa has been changed with the removal of the criteria for amenorrhea. This particular criteria has historically been used for research but is not considered to be a specific marker for the illness and it is possible to have anorexia while still having a normal menses. Its removal therefore will enable more patients to receive effective care."

Also, they were talking about changing the weight loss criteria from 85% of body weight to, "Restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health.
Significantly low weight is defined as a weight that is less than minimally normal, or, for children and adolescents, less than that minimally expected."

So, yes it certainly sounds like you have anorexia, though there are other criteria as well. And, regardless of the DX, eating about 400 calories a day is a problem. That is not enough food to sustain a healthy body. Please get help if you aren't already.