Fears about Waking Up - 21 Years Old
I’m a 21-year-old female currently struggling with a relapse of anorexia, weighing in at 35.6 kg with a height of 168 cm, which puts my BMI at roughly 12.7. Despite my condition, I continue to engage in intense daily workouts and walk excessively—exceeding 25,000 steps each day—all while holding down a job at a supermarket. However, I am increasingly anxious about how much longer my body can endure this strain. To be honest, I'm scared about what might happen next. The challenge lies in figuring out where to begin in making changes, as the overwhelming nature of it all leaves me feeling paralyzed. I’m currently receiving outpatient care from an eating disorder team, but their resources are quite limited since my blood tests and ECG results have come back normal. This makes the prospect of inpatient treatment feel out of reach, yet I worry that I’m running out of time before my body ultimately fails. If anyone has suggestions or can offer support, it would mean a lot to me.
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 12:50:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel overwhelmed and fearful given your current challenges with anorexia, especially while maintaining such an intense lifestyle. Your weight indicates a significantly low BMI, which can lead to serious health concerns, especially regarding energy levels, organ function, and overall well-being. Let's discuss how you can start to address your situation in a manageable way.
Main Points:
- Addressing Extreme Weight and Exercise: Your current weight poses serious health risks, and your intense physical activity is likely contributing to your anxiety and may be unsustainable.
- Implementing Small Changes: Initiating gradual changes can help relieve some of the overwhelming feelings and start to improve your health.
- Ongoing Support: Continued communication with your outpatient care team is essential, and ensuring you're accessing all available support is crucial.
Explanation:
Your body is signaling that it cannot cope with the combination of severe undernutrition and high physical demands. Weight at such a low BMI indicates that vital processes may be compromised, putting you at risk of serious complications. The fear of potential health declines is valid and reflecting on the need for change shows insight into your situation.
Actionable Steps:
-
Prioritize Nutrition: Focus on making gradual adjustments to your eating habits. Aim to incorporate small, regular meals with a balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Consider consulting with a dietitian specializing in eating disorders, if accessible, to create a meal plan that feels manageable.
-
Reduce Physical Activity: Start by gradually decreasing your daily step goal. Instead of pushing for 25,000 steps, aim for a more reasonable target, like 10,000 or even less to start with. Gradually allow your body to rest more, helping to replenish your energy reserves.
-
Mindfulness and Support: Explore mindfulness techniques or relaxation strategies to help manage anxiety. Activities like gentle yoga or meditation can help reduce stress levels without requiring intense physical activity. Consider reaching out to peer support groups, both in-person and online, where you can share experiences and gain encouragement.
-
Communicate Acts of Care: It’s important to communicate your feelings and fears with your outpatient care team. They may be able to advocate for more comprehensive resources or create a structured plan to help you through this transitional phase, even if it feels limited at the moment.
-
Track Progress: Keeping a diary can be beneficial. Document not only your food intake and exercise but also your feelings and any changes in your mental and physical health. This will help both you and your support team monitor progress and make necessary adjustments.
Remember to be kind to yourself during this process; change takes time, and working towards improving your health is a brave step. Recognizing that you are feeling scared and stuck is the first step towards recovery. There is hope and support available, and it’s important to lean on the resources around you as you embark on this journey towards better health.
Related Questions
Concerns About a Potential Lipoma Near the Pubic Area: What Should I Consider?
Located on the right side of the pubic bone, adjacent to the pubic symphysis, there is a clearly defined mass that measures approximately 1.7 x 1.4 cm and exhibits imaging characteristics akin to fat. Could this be a lipoma? However, it's essential to note that other possibilities cannot be excluded. A comprehensive diagnostic assessment is advisable. As a 24-year-old female, I'm feeling uncertain about these findings. Since 2022, I've been experiencing persistent pain in my right leg, and while I don't want to jump to extreme conclusions, I can’t shake off the worry that this might indicate something serious. For some time now, I've been trying to pinpoint the source of this discomfort. During the process, we also identified scoliosis with a leftward curve and gallstones, but those issues have taken a backseat since the discovery of this tumor. The surgeon even expressed frustration at my visit, emphasizing that the concern over the tumor has led to the postponement of my gallstone surgery (it’s not like I could have known). I’m scheduled to see an orthopedic expert in two weeks. I was not prepared for this alarming result; I had initially assumed the gallstones could be responsible for the pain, as both the neurologist and orthopedist had suggested before the MRI was conducted, which ultimately led to these new insights. While I am not fearing for my life or the loss of my leg, I do feel apprehensive about what this all means going forward.
Experiencing Unusual Cold Sensation in Right Thigh and Tingling Between Toes
Hello everyone, I'm a 29-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall. Recently, I've been experiencing an odd cold sensation in my right thigh that has persisted for the past day. Additionally, a few days prior, I detected a peculiar feeling in my right foot, specifically between two of my toes, as if something were stuck there, although I can't observe anything out of the ordinary. I tend to have health anxiety, which makes me quite concerned about these symptoms. I would appreciate any insights or advice. Thank you!
Persistent Mouth Irritation Following Impetigo
Subject: Female, aged 27, originally from the UK and currently residing in Canada. The issue began upon my return to Canada. Current Medications: Lithium, Gabapentin, Birth Control (NuvaRing). I really need some assistance here. This saga initiated with a tiny patch of eczema on my chin that persisted for nine months. It would flare up occasionally but wasn't particularly bothersome. After experiencing a stressful period due to relocating, I noticed the redness spreading from my chin to the area just above my lip, although it remained manageable at that point. Then, I mistakenly consumed some acidic fruit, which led to angular cheilitis, and subsequently, this developed into impetigo around my mouth and left eye. Thankfully, antibiotics were effective for that. However, I’m now stuck with a persistent, itchy redness and discoloration surrounding my mouth, which feels tight, and my lips seem swollen. The angular cheilitis keeps reoccurring; if I fail to moisturize my lips every hour, they end up cracking. I've been trying numerous recommended moisturizers, but I have strong negative reactions to petroleum and paraffin products, so I avoid those. Thus far, I've utilized CeraVe Hydrating Serum, 1% hydrocortisone cream (which provides some relief), lidocaine at night to alleviate itching (it helps a little), Aquaphor lip balm, Good Molecules lightweight moisturizer, antihistamine gel, antibiotic ointment prescribed for the impetigo, and over-the-counter oral antihistamines. Despite these efforts, nothing seems to resolve the issue. What could this be, and what steps should I take next?
Seeking Clarity on Facial Melanoma Prognosis
Patient Profile: Age: 70 Gender: Male Height: 5’10” Weight: 122kg Ethnicity: Caucasian Duration of Symptoms: 7 months Affected Area: Face Relevant Medical History: None Current Medications: None My father-in-law has been diagnosed with melanoma located on his temple. Initially, he noticed a minor growth back in January, which escalated rapidly in size, reaching approximately the dimensions of his ear by April. Initially, the medical team appeared somewhat unconcerned, leading to delays in establishing a treatment course. Approximately six weeks ago, he underwent surgery where the tumor and some surrounding tissue were excised, and a skin graft was taken from his shoulder to cover the area. Subsequently, it was recommended that he embark on a regimen of immunotherapy, slated to commence the following week. Today, he returned for a follow-up with his consultant, who expressed increasing concern over the rapid recurrence of the melanoma. Additionally, a biopsy was performed on another small growth on the same side of his face, which suggests the possibility of more lesions developing. We learned that his cancer has been classified as stage 3C, yet the doctor did not provide a clear explanation regarding the implications of this staging. Instead of immunotherapy, he has been advised to pursue radiotherapy, which is scheduled to begin next week. My wife, who has accompanied him to several appointments, feels that we are not fully informed about his condition. While I understand there are limits to what can be shared, I would greatly appreciate any insights regarding the seriousness of his situation. Despite his lack of prior severe health issues, he is generally in poor health (overweight, suboptimal diet, and beginning to experience mobility difficulties). Thank you in advance for your thoughts.
Concerns About Family History of Cancer
As a 53-year-old woman and the youngest among nine siblings, I've been reflecting on our family's health history. My father was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 42 but successfully battled it and remained free of recurrence for many years. However, he later faced another challenge when he developed bladder cancer in his sixties. In the past three years, I’ve tragically lost three sisters to cancer, and the circumstances surrounding their diagnoses are deeply troubling. They all had the disease spread throughout their bodies, affecting various organs including their bones, brain, and lungs. It’s almost as if it had taken over completely by the time they were diagnosed. The first sister's cancer was discovered when she fell and an x-ray revealed the extent of the disease; sadly, she passed away just five days after that finding. The other two sisters were given a diagnosis shortly before they too succumbed to the illness, living for only about two weeks afterward. This brings me to a perplexing question: should I be concerned about my own health given the prevalence of cancer in my family, or could this all just be an unsettling coincidence? I attempted to discuss my fears with my doctor, but unfortunately, I didn’t find her guidance particularly reassuring. I just want to understand better.