can't eat (no appetite)

I have had a problem for a few years now with my appetite gradually diminishing to be almost non-existing. As a kid I ate my body weight in food and always stayed a raily little stick figure. The amount of food I was able to consume started changing when I was in high school. I am now 21 and eat next to nothing every day. I never eat breakfast and very rarely lunch and very little for dinner. It's basically come down to force snacking throughout the day so I can survive!

Every now and then I feel an almost intense hunger and one of two things happen: 1) I take one bite of food and feel full and unable to eat (and,not wanting to put up with that, take another one or two bites, allthemore feeling like I might throw up if I keep eating), or 2) look in my pantry to find something to eat to no avail because nothing seems appetizing in the least.

I have a long list of medical issues and at a very young age. Most of them consist of kidney problems and Hypothyroidism. The Hashimoto's is being cared for, however and my hormones are said to all be level and in check, though that seems unlikely...

This is all very frustrating to me because I have always been very passionate about food and have always LOVED eating and now that I simply can't, it is very disappointing and frankly, extremely depressing. Every now and again, I retain my ability to eat and get really excited and feel much better, much healthier and much more alive. But that comes to an abrupt end in a matter of two or three days and doesn't come around often.

What on earth could have changed my appetite so drastically?

[Zoelula]

I would do a full panel of thyroid tests and then talk with your doctor to explore reasons for your loss of appetite.

[cowgirlnerd]

Do you have a history of depression?  Loss of appetite can be a symptom (among many others) associated with depression.  

When I am depressed, I suffer from the same issues with food that you have expressed.  

I am hoping that isn't the case (depression), but it's an idea you might want to discuss with your doctor.

[evowell]

Yes, I have atypical depressive disorder.

I've been diagnosed with alllll kinds of issues--I'm just a very unhealthy person. Some of that is my fault and some is not anything I can help. But It's very hard to change anything for the better when I can't seem to eat anything. Healthy or not, diet or no diet, I just want to be able to eat.

[cowgirlnerd]

I understand what you mean.  I can't remember the last time food tasted good to me.  I start wanting to eat, but after a few bites, I am just over it and don't want to eat.  It doesn't help that everyone around me talks about me not eating all of the time.  "You need to eat!"  BLAH BLAH.  

I'm pretty healthy (except for my mental state!), says my medical doctor, so I don't worry a whole lot.  I do wish that I somewhat enjoyed eating.

I hope you feel better soon.