Im a year 9 student and i keep thinking im fat and i dont like it, my self esteem is low and i keep skipping meals. I tell my parents that something is wrong and they say that i should eat more but the thing is i cant. I keep trying to force myselfr to eat and i dont want to get anorexia. I dont know what to do and i cant go and see anyone because of the pandemic. What should i do?? Thank you
13 year old .
Sam
Hi there,
Skipping meals or finding it difficult to eat can be a reaction to feeling upset or stressed, but sometimes it can be a sign of an eating problem, like anorexia, too. Eating problems can start for lots of reasons but recognising the signs early on really helps. It means that you can get the support or treatment you need, sooner rather than later.
Anorexia is an illness which makes you stop wanting to eat food and sometimes changes the way you see yourself. Someone with anorexia might think they’re overweight, even when other people tell them they’re not. It can make people disagree with their friends and family about what a healthy weight is or how much they should eat to stay well. Because anorexia can also make you think that nothing's wrong, it's possible to become very ill, although treatment can help you to recover.
If you’re worried about eating, your relationship to food, having anorexia or another eating problem, please talk to your doctor as soon as you can. Only a doctor can diagnose an eating problem or an anxiety disorder. It can be confusing to feel hungry when you can’t eat, or don’t want to, and worrying about not eating can also make it harder to eat.
Health services are available during the pandemic. You can also get medical advice from your doctor or from NHS 111 if it’s urgent and your surgery is closed. You may be offered a telephone or video appointment and your doctor will decide whether you need to go to an appointment at the surgery. You'll only be asked to visit the surgery if it’s really necessary,so only go to the surgery if you’ve been told to
Thank you for writing to me and remember you can talk to our counsellors or share your experience with other young people on the message boards
Take care,
Sam
Need help straight away?
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
Ask me a question
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.
