• Replies 8 replies
  • Subscribers 25 subscribers
  • Views 2944 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

asperger's and anorexia nervosa

Lydia

Does anyone have any experience of anorexia and asperger's? I have recently been diagnosed as aspergic and have had anorexia since the age of thirteen (am now twenty). I am trying to work out how the two interlink so that I can hopefully finally leave anorexia behind. Thanks x

  • hi Emma and Lucy, I only just saw your comment Emma - so sorry.

    Emma, well done, you should be really proud.

    Lucy, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. Anorexia often exacerbates Autistic traits and it sounds like maybe the two are contributing to each other at the moment.

    I don't really have any helpful advice to offer but please keep going - you are not alone. 3 years might seem a long time, but in terms of anorexia it really isn't and it is very likely that your daughter will recover. It sounds like you are very loving and supportive, and this is the most important thing for anybody ill or unhappy.

  • My daughter (25) has very similar problems and has had severe Anorexia Nervosa for 3 years now and is getting worse(she has a BMI under 13 I think, she won't let me near her weight). She had a very difficult adolescence with no friends, severe social anxiety, panic attacks, hypochondria and many more obsessions. Even though I took her to the Dr on many occasions she was not diagnosed with an ASD (Aspergers and ADHD) until 18 months ago. Although it explains a lot, it has made little difference to her treatment (which consists of 1 therapy session a week - which she doesn't always make and she will only do with me). The only difference seems to be that they are not threatening giving up treatment anymore because she s not engaging and are also no longer threatening inpatient as some Dr has said it will be ineffective which I agree with as the inpatient facilities just do not cater for ASD patients.

    My daughter has regular meltdowns, is virtually house bound, constantly and obsessively cleans the house etc etc. her life is barely worth living and as a result nor is mine or my son's.

    If anyone has any advice I would be really grateful as we are desperate.

  • Hello,

    I was hospitalised for anorexia earlier this year (I have had an eating disorder since I was 16 - I am 24 now). It is only in the last few months that I have realised I am autistic. Coming to that realisation was a big help in trying to recover as it means I am trying to be more accepting of myself and the things that I find myself doing (for example, not eating was a really good way of making myself so weak I could not stim in public).

    I don't really have any good advice, I'm afraid. I'm still struggling to get through every day.

  • Unfortunately bordem gets to some people and this is what they do.  Go trolling.  They obviously have no idea what it's like.  If you think about it the comment isn't relevant because anorexia isn't necessarily about food, it's just about being in control of something.  So, don't feel guilty for something you can't help, and especially don't feel guilty for something that isn't your fault.  

    The joys of the internet...

  • Hi Lydia,

    We're sorry you had to see the message and we've blocked the user.

    Take care,

    Alexandra (moderator)

  • thanks for deleting the horrible comment. It really upset me and I still have it in my inbox :(

  • Wow, that is fantastic, you should be really proud of yourself. Thanks for your reply, it gave me some hope.

  • I know a few people who have both aspergers and eating disorders.  Anxiety brought on by having aspergers manifests itself as anorexia.  It's your way of dealing with the outside world.  Like, OCD.  These disorders are a form of control.  I had OCD from about 13 too.  The world is scary to us people on the spectrum so having OCD or anorexia is something YOU can control and you feel better the more control things you do, but it's obviously not a healthy long term solution.  At one point I couldn't even leave the house because I had OCD about everything.

    I had CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and that helped a lot with the OCD.  Best thing to do is to not be hard on yourself, but it's easier said than done.  You'll find over time once you've learned more about your aspergers that a lot of things may start making sense and you will be able to leave the anorexia behind.  If I can go from not being able to leave the house to living in a strange town 100 miles from home and working full time then I think anyone is capable of doing it.  Good luck, and if you ever need to talk you can always post here.  We'll listen.