Another recent thread on this forum got me thinking about dietary choices and psychology and/or mental health. I have to preface all this by first saying that it is difficult for me to talk about this for two reasons: 1) this forum has always had such a positive vibe and everyone here seems very informed about their choices, and 2) there tends to be a lot of negative press and/or attitudes about vegetarians in general and I hesitate to drive another nail in the placard of "Vegetarians/Vegans/Raw Foodists are Freaks." 
That being said, I've been a vegetarian/mostly vegan for over twenty years. I developed an eating disorder in my late teens (pre-vegetarian) and then had another severe bout in my late thirties. The one in my late thirties was triggered by a non-food event. After I had DD in my early forties, I concluded that I had fully recovered. I was a normal weight...with a little extra padding...but still pretty normal in the grand scheme. Last fall, I decided to go raw, which for me meant giving up grains and other base foods upon which I had long relied. The first month was difficult, but then I started feeling really good. I had more energy than I had had in years. A natural consequence was that I begin losing weight. Over the last few months, I have lost a significant amount of weight, to the point where DH is complaining and people are asking if I'm "okay." I find myself withdrawing to avoid talking about it.
I think that my recent dietary path and the said consequences have triggered my eating disorder. I find myself obsessing about food and food preparation. I find it hard to watch other people eat. I obsessed for hours about a bread crumb that I ate off the table after I made a sandwich for DD, not so much because it had calories but because I had broken my "raw" pact. It is maddening and in sane moments I know that it has nothing to do with vegetarianism/veganism/raw food and everything to do with control and perfectionism.
Are there any other raw foodists or vegans out there that struggle psychologically with eating? I can't be the only one who has taken it over the mental edge.
That being said, I've been a vegetarian/mostly vegan for over twenty years. I developed an eating disorder in my late teens (pre-vegetarian) and then had another severe bout in my late thirties. The one in my late thirties was triggered by a non-food event. After I had DD in my early forties, I concluded that I had fully recovered. I was a normal weight...with a little extra padding...but still pretty normal in the grand scheme. Last fall, I decided to go raw, which for me meant giving up grains and other base foods upon which I had long relied. The first month was difficult, but then I started feeling really good. I had more energy than I had had in years. A natural consequence was that I begin losing weight. Over the last few months, I have lost a significant amount of weight, to the point where DH is complaining and people are asking if I'm "okay." I find myself withdrawing to avoid talking about it.
I think that my recent dietary path and the said consequences have triggered my eating disorder. I find myself obsessing about food and food preparation. I find it hard to watch other people eat. I obsessed for hours about a bread crumb that I ate off the table after I made a sandwich for DD, not so much because it had calories but because I had broken my "raw" pact. It is maddening and in sane moments I know that it has nothing to do with vegetarianism/veganism/raw food and everything to do with control and perfectionism.
Are there any other raw foodists or vegans out there that struggle psychologically with eating? I can't be the only one who has taken it over the mental edge.
I've dealt with this as well, and vegetarianism has been my path to healing. Best of luck with your journey, sorry I can't offer much advice, just support.
