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9:46 pm
January 10, 2011
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When I think of eating disorders, I think of anorexia and bulimia. However, my mother-in-law seems to have a different problem. She's diabetic, yet she rarely checks her blood sugar, and she eats a lot of candy and other unhealthy foods. It has caused her some pretty serious problems, like severe dizziness and obesity. Should this be looked at as an eating disorder? I don't know much about diabetes, but this is the first person I've met who neglects their condition so severely. Our family is pretty worried about her, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2:23 pm
January 10, 2011
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An eating disorder? I'm not sure I would classify it as an eating disorder, but it's certainly a problem. You would think that when she is having problems and they stem from not watching her sugar intake, that would make her watch it. I don't know what you can do, other than talk to her and tell her that it's important to keep on top of this problem. Maybe explain to her that it worries you and she might change.
8:51 pm
January 10, 2011
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I wouldn't consider it as an eating disorder but I could say that the person could be addicted to sweets. It is also possible that she got diabetes because of eating too much sweets.
6:34 am
January 10, 2011
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I also wouldn't necessarily classify this as an eating disorder, but she definintely needs to get her diabetes under control. The consequences of a diabetic running rampant are very severe. I had a boyfriend serveral years ago whose diabetic grandmother was careless about her blood sugar and what she ate and she ended up having both legs amputated because of it. Crazy as it sounds, that STILL didn't teach her and she died a premature death. Your MIL really needs to take this seriously.
9:11 pm
January 10, 2011
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An eating disorder would be a pattern of behavior that is compulsively repeated and is considered harmful to the body. Anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating even when full would be others. Her complete dismissal of the fact she is damaging her health may be many things such as denial. It could be she is also addicted to food. The problem with that is with food, you can't quit totally. It's a shame too.
11:54 pm
January 10, 2011
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Thank you all for the feedback. My mother-in-law does compulsively eat sweets and other unhealthy foods, and since she does this regularly I look at like it's an addiction. I guess it is her vice and I really need to try to encourage her to find healthier ways to relieve stress.
10:58 am
September 30, 2010
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Frequently, the worst thing we can do for someone with an eating disorder or unhealthy eating habits (such as your MIL) is talk to them about it. The more we talk, the more they pull back from us and become even MORE secretive and determined. Maybe, offering loving support (a listening ear, encouragement for emotional difficulties they are struggling to address, etc.) would be more constructive in the long haul, than zeroing in on her abusive (and destructive) intake of sweets or unhealthy carbs.
I suffer from an eating disorder. The more people TALK to me about it, the worse I get. Quiet and respectful acceptance of the choices I am making, as well as compassionate concern for my overall well-being in ALL areas of my life -- not just my eating patterns -- helps me the most.
- Ma Strong
12:08 am
January 10, 2011
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Ma Strong, you make some really good points. When I was drinking too much, the more people tried to criticize me for it, the more I would get defensive and want to drink even more. I can imagine that my mother-in-law feels the same way sometimes regarding food and her emotions. She does suffer from depression which probably leads her to these bad eating habits. I'm going to try and be supportive however I can, without coming across as critical.
6:25 am
January 10, 2011
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I don't think it's an eating disorder. I have borderline diabetes, and I have to admit--I don't watch what I eat as much as I should. I think of eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. However, I know that keeping track of diabetes is something to be looked at. My husband has it and doesn't take care of it as much as he should.
5:39 am
June 18, 2013
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Yes not take care about your diabetes is an eating disorder. Take proper care about your eating plan to control your diabetes.
Eat only those foods that help to control the sugar level. Cut down the usage of the sugar, sweets, fried foods and fast foods, and take more raw veggies, fruits, and grain foods to handle the diabetes effectively.
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