Posted by Racer on November 12, 2004, at 20:50:37
In reply to Re: are eating disorders the same as depression? » lostforwards, posted by jujube on November 12, 2004, at 18:18:07
There is new research coming out almost monthly about eating disorders now, especially about genetic predisposition for anorexia. Anything you read today may be contradicted tomorrow, so this is only one opinion on one day, 'K? Don't quote me a year from now...
In my experience, AN has more in common with anxiety disorders than with depression per se. I can't tell you anything about the distortion in the way I view my body, because I *really* don't think that I'm too thin right now, although I am aware that I'm underweight. Yes, I am slim, but not and nowhere near "too thin." Does that make sense? I just plain can't see myself as being all that thin, and certainly not in the "scary" range. At the same time, I can look at other women and say, "Wow, she is MUCH too thin!" {{shrug}} Guess if it made sense, it would be cured in minutes, huh?
The ADs that I've taken have ended the cycle by causing significant weight gain -- generally before the AD effects have kicked in. That's been devastating, because I'm left depressed AND frantic about my weight. This time around, the AD effects have kicked in before the weight gain, so we'll see what happens. So far, I don't have the same frantic need to starve myself, so I'm eating a bit more and certainly a more varied range of foods. At the same time, I'm also aware of a little background noise saying, "eat less, you'll get fat. If you eat this tonight, plan on eating half of what you should tomorrow..." You know? This is an experiment in treating my ED separately from my depression, so I don't know how it will turn out.
At any rate, while they're not the same, and I think EDs have more in common with the anxiety spectrum of disorders, there is some similarity to the treatment, and a sort of family resemblance between them. Hope that helps.
poster:Racer
thread:415169
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/415230.html