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hi im 19 years old and im really confused with this whole eating deal i have. it started out about ayear ago me and my mom had no money so the only way i could eat is if i payed for the food and i ended up just eating 1 meal a day. over time i got a lotta people saying i looked good and everything. now my mom moved away and living with my dad and have food but im so used to eating 1 meal a day that i cant eat all 3meals plus snacks. now my mom says im loseing to much weight and need to eat but im afraid that i will gain a lot of weight and i feel sick when i eat normal because im not used to it. other days i will be soo hungrey and actually eat and then feel sick later but i never throw up i dont wanna go down that road. i also do smoke so that doesnt help me and wheni dont eat my moods get soo crazy and up and down.i guess my question is do i have a problem here? i need advice on how to start eating normal again.
thanks so much
Hi Whitney-
I am sorry to hear about how your problem got started, it sounds like that time was very difficult. I am also sorry to say that I do think you have a problem and it will take some time and help to get things back on track. I would suggest that you slowly start adding more food to your diet each day. I am not saying force yourself or eat past the point you feel full. In fact, I would try to eat just a few small things every few hours and of course your normal meal.
I also think you are going to need to check in with a nutritionist or dietician so that they can monitor your recovery. Your fears about gaining weight are going to need to be talked about with a counselor. Hopefully you have health insurance, if you don't then your school might be able to provide some of these services.
Whitney, the sooner you address this problem, the easier it will be, trust me. Please get some help, you will feel a lot better. I wish you the best.
Dr. Joanna Lhulier
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Answers by Expert:
Joanna Lhulier, Psy.D.
Expertise
I can answer several different types of questions about eating disorders, and how to deal with them. I can help figure out how to determine whether an individual needs professional help; how to choose what type of treatment may be most effective (i.e. therapist, nutritionist, psychiatrist or combination). I can give information about what a person can do to avoid relapse which would include an explanation regarding how to identify and avoid triggers and give ideas about where to get help in person and online. I can also give advice to concerned family members or friends. Perhaps most importantly, I can help increase self-understanding and acceptance.
Experience
I have been in private practice for seven years. My specialty is working with individuals struggling with eating disorders and/or body image issues. I work with individuals, couples, and families.
Organizations
The American Psychological Association
Eating Disorders Hope
Division 39 of APA (Psychoanalytic Psychology)
Publications
I have published a paper about training in the Psychoanalytic Psychology journal which is sponsored by the American Psychological Association. My writing and presentation interests include exploring topics such as loneliness, the learning process, and the benefits of mindfulness meditation.
Education/Credentials
I have earned a doctorate in Professional Psychology from the George Washington University (2001). I obtained my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University (1997).
Awards and Honors
I serve as a member of the Clinical Supervisory Faculty for The George Washington University's Professional Psychology Doctoral Program. I am also an adjunct professor in Argosy University's Professional Psychology Doctoral Program.
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