No Appetite

[Justmehere]

I'm working through a massive trigger - having to deal with court on top of it. It's brining up a lot about a specific traumatic event.

I have completely lost my appetite. I lost my appetite at the time of the traumatic event, and it's happening again now.

It's not like an eating disorder. It's a total lack of appetite or hunger. I eat anyhow, as much as I can, downing protein shakes when I can't stomach anything else. It hit about 6 days ago and it's not letting up. It's like my body is reliving the past loss of appetite, only worse.

Anyone else experience anything like this?

 

[Deleted member 20280]

My medication puts excessive weight on me and I am finding that now the dose has been increased my appetite has dwindelled to me literally not eating some times for 24 hours.

:hug:s

Laurie

 

[Shaan]

I am experiencing pretty much the same. It's been more than 3 months. I have lost so much weight, what I could not lose in ages. I think I am over the event but I shared my problems with some people that is causing me to rethink on why did I. I'm glad you are at least taking protein shakes. I find it hard to even gulp down water at times. Although I am better now, but I still keep going back every now and then.

 

[risingsun]

I hear what you are saying. I was hit with that terribly some years back and I lost total appetite. People didn't realize that I was literally "sickened" for lack of a better word. Ended up in the hospital where they treated me like I had an eating disorder. They thought I was doing it on purpose at that point.

I just was recently fired by my therapist and am having total loss of appetite all over again. Its been lasting all week and has been terrible. Now as it slowly is coming back, I'm trying to eat as much as I can so that it doesn't happen all over again and so I don't end up turning it into a form of self harm (thats been a newer thing for me)-like denial of food (I'm just speaking of me in this instance, not you in terms of self harm).

So I hear what you are saying. Stay strong and know that the feeling will pass. I'm trying to do that myself. I am sorry that you are feeling this way. I know exactly what you are feeling and its so hard to describe to people. When things hit me, it seems to hit me right in the pit of my stomach. Just remember, it will pass. It will pass. You can get through this.

I keep telling myself this: Before, I was hit with a tsunami. I got through a tsunami. Now, its just a few feet of water. I've been through worse. I am so much stronger now and even wiser than I ever would have been had I not been through what I went through. I will not drown in 3 feet of water now. I can do this. I can do this. (thats what I'm telling myself now)

Remember, you've been through the worst. You can get through this. It will pass. I empathize with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.You can get through this. You are stronger than you even realize now and wiser too for whatever brought you to this point. You will come out of this even stronger. Keep the faith. Believe in yourself.

 

[Ti Vu]

Yeah, I'm the same way right now. It's the anxiety. It's just like an absence of hunger. Even though I haven't eaten anything all day, I'm just never hungry.

It's very unhealthy, but sometimes, I would just get by on one slice of pizza or one granola bar the whole day. I worked hard to gain weight before my trauma, and just like that, 10 pounds gone.

But it's good to hear that you're at least feeding your body something. Keep it going. :)

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Just as a thought. When I am triggered badly as I put in my Top Ten thread one sub heading is Favourite Foods.

I use this now and do what I like to refer to as 'Regressive Eating' where I will chose a snack or light meal.that would mke me feel safe and happy s a child.

I will always be alone when I do this and maybe read one of the favourite books from my childhood.

As a grounding and self soothing I find now that I am comfortable with this technique I am groundinf whilst ensuring I am eating sufficient nutricious food at the same time.

Maybe worth a try ?

Laurie

 

[Justmehere]

Thank you so much everyone! I'm sorry you all experience this too - and it does really help a lot to know I'm not alone. Thanks for the suggestions too! I'm really exhausted and struggling to find words so I will have to respond more later.

Right now, I'm sitting on the floor and drinking lots of water, Gatorade, and beginning to feel better a bit.

@Santa_Laurie - I really like your idea of trying regressive eating. I bought a container of chocolate milk, and I'm curled up in a blanket, and it feels so good for my heart and soul... :)

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes 'anorexia' just means loss of appetite ('anorexia nervosa' is the eating disorder). Stress, grief, sorrow, terror, exhaustion, illness, medications etc can all remove appetite, and dissociation and lack of self-care can leave one 'forgetting' to eat at all. I have had all of those except for the meds, I try extremely high calorie foods. They say eat ('graze') all day, but one meal a day is about all I can stand.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

And whilst you drink your chocolate mik curled up in that comfy blanket imagine yourself in a safe secure place. With warm sunshine and a warm breeze.

:hug:s I am so happy you are feeling better.

Laurie

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes 'fun' foods. (((((((((( justmehere :hug: )))))))))

 

[Shaan]

Nice comments. I was wondering if you all share your incidents with your friends or do you just fight them yourselves?

 

[Ti Vu]

@Shaan: In general? I haven't told any one of my friends. I personally don't feel that any of this is their cross to bear, so to speak. But I don't think that that's a healthy mindset to have.

I do, however, frequent this forum and call my local Warmline whenever I feel overwhelmed. The way I see it, I'm not fighting this fight alone. I've got a great team in my corner. :)