Is Fasting a Healthy Coping Method?

[Microcosm]

I barely eat because I'm depressed. It's very rare that I get actually hungry and, when I do, it's usually a mild sense of hunger that I could get through without eating if I put a conscious effort into it. I do eat a little bit every day though, usually out of habit and mindlessness rather than hunger, though. I feel that if I really put an effort into not eating, it would in some sense take my mind off of depression and numb me mentally.

That being said, is fasting a healthy coping method? I get that my body needs food to grow and all, but I could certainly go for quite some time without eating and still be alive and somewhat capable of daily activities. My weight is quite low already for my age and height (17 years old, and 5'6" about 130 pounds if I remember correctly). For some reason, I feel like I really want to get to a point where I am somewhat severely malnourished and my ribs can be clearly seen, and then I'll start eating again. It almost feels as if it would make me feel more in control of my life, like it would remind me that I have power over what I do and think.

What do you guys think?

[BlackParadePixie]

Fasting, in itself....when done properly and especially under the supervision of a doctor's instructions can be a useful and healthy thing for the body. But to do it to "cope"? No. It's the same mentality as someone who binges on food, or alcohol, to "cope". If you're doing something detrimental to your body to deal with depression, then you're not dealing with the root cause of the depression...you're basically just tossing a wet blanket onto a forest fire.

One thing I just thought of... some people use fasting and meditation together to clear their minds and cleanse their bodies. I think if you used fasting with meditation, for the purposes of trying to improve your mental health...that might be an option.

posts merged. ~Endeavour

[jamie_n5]

I agree with Flona. Fasting for diet reasons to loose weight should be supervised by a doctor or dietician. Some religions fast for a season of there religion for a short time. You are young and need nutrition for your body. You can actually do permanent damage to your body by starving it. You need to eat well balanced meals. I think you should go to your doctor and get some help to deal with your depression. I did and it's helped me.