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This column was posted on 6/13/2003. Check back next week to see another "Tuff Talk!" question and answer. It could be yours!

I'm Losing Too Much Weight!

I think there's something wrong with me, but I'm not sure. I'm becoming OBSSESSED with the way I look. I think I look horrible. I think I'm fat and ugly. Everyone tells me I'm not fat, but when I look in the mirror, I feel extremely fat. I'm losing my appetite, and when I'm hungry I try not to eat too much. I feel like when I don't eat, I'm succeeding, I feel like I will be thin. But if I eat, I feel like a failure. My mom thinks I'm losing a lot of weight. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel or what to do. When I don't eat, I feel in control, and I like that. But anyone who reads this will think I'm insane. Am I crazy? - Amanda, 13, Canada

"Hey, Amanda!" You are NOT crazy! Have you tried to talk to a parent/ teacher? If not,
you need to speak to someone about this. When I was younger, I went through a time where I thought that Godzilla had one up on me in looks... But I never had the troubles that you are going through.

Everyone, even movie stars, go through a time where they feel more jumbled than a collage. Before I tell you what your question reminded me of, I want to make sure that you know that I'm no doctor, so I might be wrong, but there's a chance that it could be true.

What your question reminded of is a disorder called Anorexia Nervosa. Its symptoms include: loss of appetite, because you feel that it will "make you fatter" and refusal of any food even when you have severe hunger pains. The one with the disorder often loses weight -- too much weight, and keeps strict excercise routines and self-appointed diets to "keep off the weight" that sometimes doesn't exist.

Anorexia can be caused by a poor image of one's self; something that teen girls in America and all over the world are struggling with.

If any of this sounds like you right now, you need to talk with someone and see a doctor. Once diagnosed, Anorexia can be treated and often cured. I hope that this helps.

Kaitlin, 14, West Virginia

(Editor's Note: Anorexia is also about feeling, or not feeling, in control, just the way you describe. It can become quite serious and needs attention. For more information, check out these websites:

http://www.familydoctor.org/handouts/063.html

http://www.altrue.net/site/anadweb/

http://www.nami.org/helpline/anorexia.htm

http://www.mamashealth.com/anorexia.asp