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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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