Expert: Joanna Lhulier, Psy.D. - 6/24/2008

Question
QUESTION: I just don't no where i stand. I'm not sure whether i really DO have an eating disorder, or whether deep down i just want one. i first started noticing my weight when i was around 10, I'm now 17 and a half and gradually through the years iv dieted more and more and I'm now at a stage where i take diet pills (occasionally taking around 50 in a day), I'm wearing that pink patch advertise don youtube and other sites, I'm making myself sick daily, and i exersize a fair bit. its gotten this extreme relatively recently, i also don't really eat anything other then dinner. but i DO eat dinner, i also eat if i have to, and occasionally eat if i don't think anyone will ever no about it, nothing MUCH but like a chocolate bar or something.
I can also be a little more confident with my body (mainly if iv had a drink, i SOMETIMES with persuasion will mess around with my boyfriend and he'l see my body but I'm not THAT insecure with him.
His mum is a nurse and she knows about all of this (my boyfriend told her)...and she spoke to a doctor who said i do not have the characteristics or SOUND like someone with an eating disorder, I'm just determined to be thin. And although i know I'm not technically anorexic, i weigh the bottom end of normal weight and i haven't lost any periods, but at the same time it upset me that the doctor said that, because now i just feel stupid and i like maybe i just WANT to be anorexic or have some kind of a disorder. but i don't know? i know I'm obsessed with it, but do you think iv TRAINED myself to be like this, or whether its natural? is this how many people start out? i just don't know. please help!

thank you

ANSWER: Hi Lauren-
I am sorry that you have been going through this on your own for such a long time.  I strongly disagree with the doctor you referenced.  I think you do have an eating disorder and you need help.  I base my opinion on the fact that you are obsessed with trying to control your weight, always worried about how much food you eat, making yourself sick, and taking serious risks (50 pills).  You are not just starting out with an ED, you are suffering from one.  Please consider getting some help from people who know more about EDs.  I wish you the best.
Dr. Lhulier

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I decided to try and change my ways, to start eating again in order to save my relationship AND myself. The problem is iv now flipped into overeating. Eating when I'm not hungry or when I'm full even if i feel ill about it. Iv gained 10lbs in around 2 weeks and its disgusting!. But apart from that...is this normal, does this happen to a lot of people, and where do go now, i just don't know how to eat properly.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Lauren-
I am glad to hear that you are trying to change things.  Congrats!  It is really common for people to go up and down very dramatically as their body tries to re-adjust to normal food intake.  

But, what you said about not being able to stop eating or not knowing how to eat normally is a tough problem.  Generally, nutritionists can be quite helpful with this.  They can give you some structure which is usually important.  If money is an issue, it might be helpful to know that you might only need to see the nutritionist a few times till you get an idea of what will work for you.

As you try to recover it is very important to get all your supports in order so that when you hit some tough spots they are there for you.  I am very happy for you and wish you the best.
Take Care,
Dr. Joanna Lhulier