Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 10/23/2009

Question
I'm 23 years old and I'm trying to recover from my 7 year long battle with anorexia and bulimia.  I'm only 5ft tall and my weight at the moment is around 97 lbs.  My heighest weight was around 130 lbs and My lowest weight was 85 lbs, but I feel that that wasn't low enough for my height. Now anorexia is telling me that I've failed miserably and that others have gotten much thinner than me and I have got to be below 80lbs before I can call myself a success.
How do I deal with this and not give into it's seductive lies?

Another problem I'm having is now that I'm trying to eat a healthy ballanced diet from the dietician, I have these mighty strong urges to eat everything in sight.  I can't stop binging and sometimes I throw up and other times I keep it down because I really hate binging and purging all the time.  I feel so guilty and out of control.  I'm gaining weight and I'm terrified.  How do I eat without binging?

Sal

Answer
Dear Sally-Ann,

I'm so glad that you wrote me!  Did you know that you're a perfect height and weight??  If you go any lower, you won't be having your menstrual periods and many medical consequences will begin to happen.

I can tell that you know when the anorexic voice is speaking to you!  The anorexic voice wants you to be thinner and thinner and it will ultimately kill you!  I can promise that.  I've seen people who have had heart failure from anorexia, seen people whose cognitive abilities are so distorted that they commit suicide --

Being an anorexic is one of the worst things in the world!!  I'm so glad you're seeing a dietitian.  Can you see a therapist as well who specializes in eating disorders?  

Usually when someone is bingeing, they need to eating three small meals a day and 3 small snacks.  This will stabilize your blood sugar so your not starved all the time.

Let me know how you do, Sal --

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol Treatment Centers
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700