Bipolar and Anorexia

[Meshavrischika]

Is there a connection between bipolar disorder and anorexia?

I am bipolar type I and have never had issues with eating until the past couple months.

I know I have control issues. I kinda feel that they've been my coping mechanism for my bipolar disorder to this point.

I don't really have a terrible view of my body, I don't hide food, or any of that other stuff. I just plain don't feel like eating. I have probably lost 25 pounds since August.

Thing is I normally lose weight when I am manic, but I'm not manic right now... and I've never lost this much weight before. I tend to gain weight when I am depressed because food is a comfort for me.

Right now life is hard with my marriage and this is probably a contributing factor, but like I said, I don't feel particularly depressed or manic.

Any thoughts?

 

[berry2000]

For sure i loose my apetite alot people kept asking me ad nauesum are you sure you're not anorexic. I said no and i meant it. Sometimes med's make you loose your appetite, most of the time depression does for me. Appetite and mood swings are totally connected for me. But i don't have an eating disorder.

 

[Meshavrischika]

I'm not currently on any meds (I struggle with so many side effects I only take them for my mania during episodes - I'm pretty in tune with my bipolar disorder)

it's nice to know it's not just me though

 

[Alaskamomma]

A few years ago I would go through phases of not eating and I would get down to 118 lbs. (I am 5'7) It would go in waves. I would eat. Then I wouldn't eat.

Don't be too concerned about it unless you are getting to thin like I did. Will pray for your relationship with your husband though.

 

[Alive again]

Seconding all that has been said, especially the mention it to your doc part and watching to see you don't get too low. I also have a marriage with what seems like more than its share of "issues". But I cope by eating.

I have issues controlling not eating in response to any emotion and have wondered about the opposite effect. I did run across some info (I think at healthyplace.com????) about some newer research showing links between dna in the illness of bp and eating disorders or between the neurochemicals. However, that said it absolutely does not mean you might have both. There is much overlap in these two things in many mental health illnesses.

And I honestly think mood is so linked to eating! SO like previously said, may just be the stress or the med.

Praying for you and your marriage.

 

[angelkiss]

I have had problems with weight gain from the first time this illness hit full blown. (Years ago) I've even had doctors ask if I was anorexic. It's not that I DIDN'T want to eat, it's the fact that I COULDN'T. The least bit of stress can zap my appetite first thing.
I have been on Seroquel and that has given me a good appetite. Without it, I don't eat. I finally went from 90 lbs to 110 lbs. (and still rising) I've felt better than I have in years and even find that I have more energy.
Praying for you,
s and es!!

 

[berry2000]

Wow Angel kiss i didn't know that. That's my exact story all of it. I too am on seroquel gaining my appetite back and slowly putting on a little bit of weight. I find it particularly annoying when i am badgered by often times well-meaning (other times not well meaning people) about the eating disorder thing when it is more a bipolar disorder thing for me.

 

[angelkiss]

Wow Angel kiss i didn't know that. That's my exact story all of it. I too am on seroquel gaining my appetite back and slowly putting on a little bit of weight. I find it particularly annoying when i am badgered by often times well-meaning (other times not well meaning people) about the eating disorder thing when it is more a bipolar disorder thing for me.

I know what it's like to get badgered by people over the eating disorder thing. I had people from my church, friends I hadn't seen for a few years, and then when the doctors themselves started asking, it really got frustrating.
I have also started taking vitamins and they have helped keep my weight on. I had been out of Seroquel for a few weeks and I had started the vitamins and I noticed I didn't lose it as fast as I normally would have.
s and es!!