It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional or a mental health specialist for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. From your description, it sounds like you may be experiencing disordered eating patterns, and there might be elements of both binge eating and restrictive behaviors.
The eating behaviors you described, such as binge eating followed by periods of not eating or restricting meals, could potentially be related to a few different eating disorders:
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): BED is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food within a discrete period while feeling a lack of control over eating. People with BED often experience feelings of guilt, shame, or distress following a binge episode. The cycle of binge eating and restricting may be present in BED.
Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexia nervosa involves severe calorie restriction, fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image. Some individuals with anorexia may occasionally experience binge eating episodes as well.
Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting. Your description of binge eating followed by not eating for a while could resemble the binge-purge cycle seen in bulimia.
It's important to remember that eating disorders are complex conditions that can vary greatly from person to person. Additionally, eating disorders are often connected to psychological, emotional, and environmental factors.
The fact that you mention that not eating for a while is usually triggered by something could indicate that there are emotional or situational factors influencing your eating behaviors. Emotional triggers could include stress, anxiety, sadness, or other intense emotions. Identifying and addressing these triggers is a crucial part of healing and recovery.
If you suspect that you have an eating disorder or are struggling with disordered eating patterns, it's essential to seek help from a healthcare professional or a mental health specialist who can provide a proper evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized treatment plan. Eating disorders can have serious physical and emotional consequences, so early intervention is crucial for successful recovery. Remember, you don't have to go through this alone, and seeking support is an important step toward healing.