Eating Disorders

[emily2]

I feel a little stupid having to ask this but anyways, Im a young teenager trying to become a traditonal catholic (cant quite convert 100 percent yet) but I want to try and live the best catholic time I can. I was doing some research on mortal sins and I saw that “self abuse” is one. Does my eating disorder count as self abuse and therefore count as a mortal sin? I know it sounds dumb but i’m just worried.

 

[CRV]

A medically diagnosed eating disorder and one that is hopefully being treated, is an illness. There are (in part as I understand it) psychological factors affecting free will and therefore are mitigating factors.

Mortal sin must include full consent of the will. In these disorders which are medically recognised, there is not full free will.

It also includes full knowledge it is gravely sinful at the time of acting. To ask about it would indicate a lack of full knowledge.

So lacking either full consent or full knowledge makes the sin venial.

BUT, knowing we are to care for our health means we are to do all we can in obtaining treatment and do our best to be well. Deliberately refusing to do either when it is possible to do them, is sinful.

ETA you really need to ask your parish priest about this.

 

[rosejmj]

It is not a mortal sin. I hope you get help for it though because it is no fun to be living with an eating disorder

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Your eating disorder is a mental illness. I would hope you are getting medical help for it as it can be life-threatening.
Illnesses are not sins.

If you need further guidance on this please talk to your priest.

 

[Elf01]

I was doing some research on mortal sins and I saw that “self abuse” is one. Does my eating disorder count as self abuse and therefore count as a mortal sin? I know it sounds dumb but i’m just worried.

I agree with the others that say to ask further advice, but did the examen mention what commandment it was a sin against. Self abuse is usually a euphanism for a solitary sin against the 6th commandment.

 

[GLam1761]

Eating disorders are an Addiction, just like pornography,
we are to respect our bodies, and in the case of porn,
our minds!! Having addiction do NOT prevent one from
joining the Church!!

 

[Sursumcorda1]

Eating disorders are a symptom of the person’s inability to see themselves objectively and truthfully. You need to see yourself completely as a beloved child of God. Don’t see yourself in anyway less.