I have never been diagnosed with any eating disorder and am pretty sure I do not have one, in spite of a sister that has called me anorexic. Under stress, I have lost my appetite and lost a few pounds several times during life. I do believe there is an underlying "belief" that I am unworthy or undeserving. Its an emotional aspect in our family dynamics that I took on, different from siblings. My eating habits use to be very healthy, with the exception of bouts of stress-(not ptsd).
Post trauma, I went through a period where I could not eat, it was nauseating. I have always believed that some people tend to eat for comfort, and some loose appetite during stressful times. Just as some live to eat, others eat to live. This is seperate from any issues with body image-that is a whole different issue.
Regardless, malnourishing and binging and purging are both self destructive and punishing behaviors, as are many other behaviors such as addictions, cutting, burning, etc. They are all very serious and need to be the priority in therapy sessions. I think it is really important to recognize them as soon as they begin, share in therapy, and do whatever is needed to address before they escalate.
I am one of those people who have a tendency toward feelings of guilt, not healthy feelings of guilt that we all need when we do something wrong, but guilt that I have no idea what I even feel guilty about. These feelings have appeared during stressful times as well.
About 3 months after my trauma that left me in really bad shape, I was desperately trying to get a handle on things and was diagnosed with ptsd. My bf at the time was pressuring me about some things, and my grown daughter was angry that I was in the relationship with him, bunch of other stuff as well. I was very nervous and trying to make peace. I was smoking a cigarette and the hot ash fell on my chest area against my shirt. I ragingly took the cigarette and pressed it into the hot cherry and put it out on my chest. I felt like I was ready to blow until this happened, and then there was a sudden relief. Then I felt awful at what I had done.
I had a big blister. The only 2 people who knew was my daughter and the bf. For the first time, I understood true aggressive self destruction and all the effects. (I was aware of the more passive destructions such as drinking or smoking. )
I have never really dealth with that episode in counseling, (insurance would only pay for counseling for suicidal or homicidal). I never did anything like this again, but began playing gambling machines (very self destructive). Onset-age 50. While I do not think these things are typical later in life, I do think it depends on the age when trauma occurs or age when symptoms and stress peak.
Post trauma, I went through a period where I could not eat, it was nauseating. I have always believed that some people tend to eat for comfort, and some loose appetite during stressful times. Just as some live to eat, others eat to live. This is seperate from any issues with body image-that is a whole different issue.
Regardless, malnourishing and binging and purging are both self destructive and punishing behaviors, as are many other behaviors such as addictions, cutting, burning, etc. They are all very serious and need to be the priority in therapy sessions. I think it is really important to recognize them as soon as they begin, share in therapy, and do whatever is needed to address before they escalate.
I am one of those people who have a tendency toward feelings of guilt, not healthy feelings of guilt that we all need when we do something wrong, but guilt that I have no idea what I even feel guilty about. These feelings have appeared during stressful times as well.
About 3 months after my trauma that left me in really bad shape, I was desperately trying to get a handle on things and was diagnosed with ptsd. My bf at the time was pressuring me about some things, and my grown daughter was angry that I was in the relationship with him, bunch of other stuff as well. I was very nervous and trying to make peace. I was smoking a cigarette and the hot ash fell on my chest area against my shirt. I ragingly took the cigarette and pressed it into the hot cherry and put it out on my chest. I felt like I was ready to blow until this happened, and then there was a sudden relief. Then I felt awful at what I had done.
I had a big blister. The only 2 people who knew was my daughter and the bf. For the first time, I understood true aggressive self destruction and all the effects. (I was aware of the more passive destructions such as drinking or smoking. )
I have never really dealth with that episode in counseling, (insurance would only pay for counseling for suicidal or homicidal). I never did anything like this again, but began playing gambling machines (very self destructive). Onset-age 50. While I do not think these things are typical later in life, I do think it depends on the age when trauma occurs or age when symptoms and stress peak.
