Re: good post...questions...

qualquun,
An eating disorder of any kind is probably self-evident when someone has an unusual relationship with food; this can be bulimia or anorexia-nervosa or any other mindset which produces this relationship, including comfort-eating and resultant obesity.

It is more often than not the case, that when and if an ED develops, that fasting or abstention from food, including overeating are practiced.

I agree with what you have said here................

"Fasting does not lead to an eating disorder in itself".

...........but if anyone has the beginnings of an ED, they will be fasting or abstaining from food for reasons other than their health-improvement, detox, or spiritual reasons.
The motivation that comes from "healthy-fasting" does not I believe originate from ones relationship with food, but more from the desire to improve their mental/physical health. This I feel is the real distinction.


I would also agree with what you have said here.........

"Because I agree that it's more about the mindset rather than the actions taken. I suppose if you have a warped mindset, even if you completely convince yourself that you're fasting for the right reasons, and you try to fast before that mindset is resolved, it's almost always going to take on an ED spin to it".

In answer to what you have said here........

"My concern is how people differentiate. Anyone who starts fasting here could have the wrong mindset. How do they actually know until they start fasting? Many describe the need to fast as involuntary...that there body is MAKING them do it. By the time they know they're doing it for the wrong reasons, they could already be deep in obsession. I mean, do you disagree that people can become unhealthily obsessed with fasting? (it seems to be usually ones that don't do it right) Doesn't that concern you at all? That it could take them down a very slippery slope? That they might not be genuine in their idea that they wish to do it for spiritual or health reasons?

A. It is true to say that anyone who begins fasting and posts here may have the wrong mindset, but then that is impossible to determine, but we do offer support in what they are trying to accomplish.
People with ED's though have been identified on the forum before now, but it does take some perception in identifying this and only from what they have said.
It is also true to say that anyone can become obsessed with fasting if they CHOOSE to, but with an ED that results in abstaining from food, I believe this to be entirely involuntary.
It does raise concerns that anyone who posts here are doing so for the right reasons as opposed to the wrong ones, but only they know the answer to that, unless found out, and where in the past, we have offered the proper channels of help before another fast is contemplated.
We do not encourage anyone to fast unless they are fully aware of the process and almost always ask for their motivation beforehand.

Chrisb1.


Tweet