Expert: Joanne - 1/14/2008

Question
hi, umm... i'm 14 years old and i just found out that i'm anorexic a few weeks ago when i passed out. i thought i was eating healthy but i was starving myself. i would only eat 2 small meals a day like a cup of cereal and 100 calorie packs. since then, i've been trying to gain weight by eating 3 meals a day and one snack. unfortunately somehow, i lost even more weight! and i'm really scared...i haven't had my period for 3 months either. my parents can't afford a phychiatrist or doctor at the moment. can you give me some advice please? thank you so much! =)

Answer
Sanora

You are only 14!  Is there anyone at school that could help you at all?  Do you have access to counsellors or guidance teachers?

I think you need to sit down with your parents and look at exactly what you are eating.  Sit and work out how many calories you are eating at a meal

Use this: http://www.fitwatch.com/qkcalc/tdcn.html   to work out how many calories you should be aiming to eat on a daily basis, and then work out a meal plan to match that number as closely as possible.

When you regain the weight, and your body is healthy again, your period should return.

As you can't get the professional help that you need (please talk to your school to see if they can offer you anything though!), you need to be open with your parents and use their support to get better.  You should maybe get their help to make sure that your meals are big enough, and that you are getting everything that you need from them.

It may also be worth going to a library or book store and see if you can get a self-help book to get more advice as to what you should be looking to change.

I hope this helps a bit!  Pleae come back if you want to ask absolutely anything else!

Holly