Hi Marilyn,
I've never been formally diagnosed, but I used to go long periods of time and eat hardly anything, so I guess that would be labelled as "anorexic". My last yaer of university I lost 50 pounds in about 3 1/2 months just from not eating anything.... I would drink only water, and if I got dizzy, I would have a few crackers, and that's about it. I felt so good. Well, actually, I remember feeling good, but I actually felt miserable -- diarrhea if I ate even a little bit, dizzy a lot, etc. But the more I lost, the harder I worked. I would never stand still, because if I kept moving that meant I was burning more calories. I used to do sit-ups in bed even before getting up in the morning, and they were the last things I did before I went to bed at night. I have no idea how I didn't pass out in class or on the walk to campus, but I managed. I also managed to keep it hidden from friends and professors. People noticed that I had lost weight, but by choosing the right clothing, I could show it gradually, and the shock wasn't there. As well, most friends and profs would see me every few days or so, so they didn't notice it as much as the scales (and I) did.
I remember my family doctor asking me about it, and I made up some stupid comment about eating healthier. I think he suspected, but didn't say anything. That made me nervous -- my secret was almost out!! -- which made me more and more careful about when and where I ate, and didn't eat. It was all-consuming. I never got underweight, but the high I got from losing the weight... well, I can't put it into words.
I didn't go for any counselling or anything like that, and I gained all the weight back, plus about 60 pounds. I find I have to be very careful about losing weight now, so I don't go back into the "high" of it and lose control.
This might not be helpful for you, but if you suspect that you have an eating disorder (anorexia, bulemia, binge eating, etc) the best thing you can do it talk to your doctor (and family, of course, but your doctor can give you more practical help, if you have a good doctor). Many people don't realize how many eating disorders there are out there, and just because you're not 6 feet tall and 80 pounds, doesn't mean you don't suffer.
