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Am I anorexic

I am nearly 14 and I think I might be anorexic. I have been taking more and more notice of my weight and calories. I can't actually weigh myself out of fear I will be obese. My friends keep commenting that I am too thin and i don't seem to eat much.

I have also recently stopped having breakfast and throw the majority of lunch and tea away. I also noticed that I have not had my period for a while even though it was regular before and that my bones are becoming more visible when I get changed.

Do I have an eating disorder or am I just paranoid?

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Sam

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to me.

It sounds like you are feeling really worried as you have noticed a change in yourself. Your friends have picked up on too and I get the sense that this feels scary.

You asked if you have an eating disorder or are just paranoid. I’m afraid I can’t answer that question as only a doctor or qualified healthcare professional can tell you if you are anorexic. But it does sound like what you are doing is affecting your health and it might be a good idea to get some support. 

I’m wondering if you have spoken to anyone other than me about your worries. It can be hard to struggle with something like this on your own so it might also be helpful for you to think about talking to an adult you trust, like a parent or teacher. There is also some information on the page about eating problems which you might find helpful.

I know it can be hard to talk about these things sometimes so another option could be to speak to a ChildLine counsellor. They can help you to work out what you’d like to do next.

ChildLine is here to listen to you and you are welcome to contact us either by phone (0800 1111), email or using our 1-2-1 chat, to speak to a counsellor. We can support you with how you are feeling and help you to think about your options.

Take care,
Sam

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