Does anyone know anything about purging disorder (overexercise)?

I think I have purging disorder, as I exercise excessively, am constantly thinking about exercise and cant stand sitting still, and also use laxatives and diuretics several times a day. I have a history of self-induced vomiting also. Its different from bulimia because I never binge.

By exercise excessively, I mean I exercise 3-6 hours per day.

The thing is, I'm not underweight. In fact, I'm almost overweight according to the BMI. My BMI is 24.5! Even though I eat healthily and watch my calories.

Is what I'm doing okay? I never get injuries or feel sick or anything. And if I'm not underweight then it can't really be called an eating disorder right?? I feel like I'm just trying to be healthy and keep fit... but then why do I sneak out of the house to workout to hide it from my parents?

All advice appreciated!! 

I have tried the "Ask Mary" so many times, but never get an answer.

the way i see it, anything that interferes with a healthy, happy, normal life is a problem. if you are constantly thinking about exercise, and feel that you need to hide it from your family, then there is a problem with the way you are viewing exercise. your laxative use and vomiting are extremely worrying. these can lead to very severe health problems. you should definately talk to your parents. I know this can be a very scary thing. When I was in high school, I had to talk to my parents about my own emotional problems. I was terrified of what they would say, but they were very supportive and got me the help I needed. If you can't talk to your parents talk to your doctor. But you should definately talk to SOMEBODY, someone who is in a position to help you.

I sincerely hope you will take my advice, and I wish you the best. Please take care of yourself!

I cannot emphasize enough that your use of laxatives and diuretics is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  Coupled with your excessive workouts, you are at very grave danger of severe hypokalemia (or extremely low potassium), which can kill you.  

"Because of the need for potassium to control muscle action, hypokalemia can cause the heart to stop beating." (quoted from link above)

You may be at a "healthy weight" but that does not mean that there aren't major imbalances going on within you - you are kidding yourself if you think that by not getting injuries or getting visibly sick all is OK.  Your body may be used to having low potassium levels and you could be feeling just FINE yet have such low potassium that you could die.  I am not joking.  The combination of your actions (laxative & diuretic abuse + exercise) is very serious.  You NEED to talk to your doctor, not to mention your parents, ASAP. 

edited to add: And, btw, the fact that you are not "underweight" does not mean you do not have an eating disorder.  See http://www.something-fishy.org/whatarethey/ex ercise.php. 

Everything the two posters said above is great advice, and good links!

But I'd like to add that a BMI of 24.5 is not overweight.. AND that your BMI is probably on the higher end of healthy because of all the muscle you must have from working out excessively. (muscle really does weigh more than fat.. it's much denser and more compact!) Instead of using BMI as a measure, you could look at your body fat, which is probably in the fitness level.

I'm no expert but you deffinitely have some of the symptoms from anorexia/bulimia... calorie control, use of laxatives, purging, overexercise...

I think you should talk to someone you trust about it first (parents, friend,...), and then seek some counselling. You may have an ED.

This should go in the health forum too.

seriously? if you exercise and purge as much as you claim to, and without the bingeing, your BMI would be much lower and you would be deathly anorexic. what's the deal?

It sounds like you probably eat regular amounts of food, but you have not discussed any details about your diet so I can’t know. If you are eating enough to make up for the calories you burn, your body is not going to get any leaner. However, if you are purging or using laxatives and compulsively over-exercising, you are setting yourself up for imbalances. What is your diet like?

Have you ever read The Metabolic Repair Manual by Leigh Peele? It sounds like you have set your metabolism up for a bit of a rollercoaster ride with the laxatives and other issues. Have you considered talking to a professional counselor about this?  Check out:

http://livewell360.com/2008/09/the-metabolic- repair-manual-by-leigh-peele/