Concerns about Refeeding: Seeking Hope and Support
I’m a 25-year-old female, weighing 115 pounds at a height of 5'7”. My previous healthy weight was around 124 pounds. Recently, I experienced a severe episode of psychosis, which led to a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. During that time, I was unable to eat, sleep, or engage in any activities due to the intensity of my symptoms; I truly believed that others were attempting to harm me. This whirlwind of distress caused my weight to plummet to 115 pounds. After starting my medication, I gradually returned to eating and managed to increase my weight to 119 pounds. Unfortunately, due to a series of significant stressors, I found myself eating less once again and have now dropped back down to 115 pounds. This situation has left me feeling quite disheartened; all I desire is to improve my well-being. Am I at a critical weight level? For reassurance, my electrolytes have been monitored weekly over the past month and consistently show normal levels. Currently, I'm consuming around 1,000 calories daily, and I plan to raise my intake in the coming days. Is this adjustment safe? I’m searching for a glimmer of hope—can I realistically regain the weight I lost?
Answers (1)
9/7/2025, 2:40:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's commendable that you're reaching out for support as you navigate such challenging circumstances. Your current weight of 115 pounds, given your height of 5'7", places you at a body mass index (BMI) of around 18.1, which is considered underweight. While you are taking steps to improve your eating habits and have maintained stable electrolyte levels, it's understandable to feel disheartened by your fluctuations in weight during such a stressful time.
Explanation
Recovering from psychosis, especially with a diagnosis like schizoaffective disorder, can be incredibly taxing on both mental and physical health. The stressors you’ve mentioned can further impact your appetite and weight. Your goal to increase your caloric intake is a positive and essential step in regaining weight and overall well-being.
Next Steps
-
Increase Caloric Intake Gradually: Aim to increase your daily caloric intake incrementally. Start by adding an additional 200-300 calories each day. Focus on nutrient-dense foods (like nuts, avocados, whole grains, and lean proteins) that can help you gain weight healthily.
-
Monitor Your Mood and Energy Levels: Keep a journal to track how you feel physically and emotionally as you adjust your eating habits. This can help you identify patterns and can be a valuable tool to discuss with your mental health team.
-
Establish a Support System: Engage with friends, family, or support groups who understand your struggles. Social support can provide motivation and encouragement during your recovery.
-
Focus on Routine: Try to establish a consistent eating routine. Meal planning can help ensure you have access to meals and snacks even on challenging days.
-
Stay Hydrated: Ensure you’re drinking enough fluids, as this supports your overall health and can improve your appetite.
-
Be Mindful of Stressors: If possible, identify and address the significant stressors in your life. Consider relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle exercise, which can help reduce anxiety.
This journey may take time, but with your determination and these actionable steps, it is realistic to regain your lost weight and improve your overall well-being. Focus on small, gradual changes rather than drastic ones. Remember, you are not alone in this process; support is available and you have the strength within you to navigate through.
Related Questions
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods