Expert: Gerri Helms - 1/20/2009

Question
hi, i have a question and i really don't know what to do about it. I have an eating disorder and i really need help. I have only one really great friend that i talked to about it and they tried to help me through it by talking to me and it just doesn't work. My parents do not know about me but they worry about my health all the time and tell me that i don't eat right or don't eat enough at all. I just tell them that I'm fine and there's nothing to worry about. My friend keeps telling me that i should go and get help but I'm afraid to and i can never tell my parents about it. It is getting really bad though and i keep starving myself or if i do eat something i wont eat the next day at all. I also work out all the time and I'm sure that doesn't help. I'm really not sure whats going on with me, since for some reason every time i do eat i immediately get sick right after and it always happens. So i really hope you can help me out with this one, i really want to get help but I'm not sure where to go or who to talk to and i just want it all to be over with. I'm tired of thinking everything's my fault and i cant stop talking it out on me. And people are getting mad at me becasue of my major mood swings that i cant control. So please help.

Answer
Dear Nick,
You are exhibiting classic symptoms for anorexia and bulimia, and it is not something that you can handle on your own. Your friend is right - you do need help.

You might want to try Overeaters Anonymous - they help overeaters, anorexics and bulimics, as well as exercise bulimics. Their website is www.oa.org. Or, if you'd like to talk with me, just send an email to lifecoachgerri@aol.com and we can set up a complimentary session by telephone. I assume that you are a minor. Let me know if you'd like to talk.
Sincerely,
Life and Health Coach Gerri Helms, CAM, CEG