Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Ruptured Esophogus

Advertisement

Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/7/2009


Question
I've been bulimic for about a year now i believe but just recently I have been getting pretty bad heartburn and a pain in my esophogus and occasional stabbing pain in my stomach when i vomit. (the esophogus pain is just in general whether i vomit or not. I've read around to see if these symptoms are bad and i discovered some things about ruptured espophogus'. My question is, how do you know when you're in danger of this? Like, what are the symptoms and do you think i should just come clean and go see a doctor? Oh and i kind of drank yesterday so could it be due that? i'm really scared and dont know what to do. (ps: i know what i do is bad and im working on stopping but i doubt it'll happen right away unless (sadly) Im in immediate danger) Please help.  

Answer

jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Jessica,

I'm so glad that you wrote me!  What you're doing is not "bad!"  Eating disorders are coping mechanisms that help people cope with stress in their lives.  You're not really doing this on purpose -- and you'll be able to recover!

A ruptured esophagus is a possibility.  Your stomach acids are definitely irritating your esophagus!  When the walls of the esophagus become so irritated, they can bleed and eventually rupture.  This is very dangerous!  You could go for a month or so -- or years, but if you keep purging, it will happen.

The main action you need to take right now is to go to your doctor and then find a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.  The therapist will be able to teach you healthy coping skills so you don't have to do something so dangerous to deal with your life!!

Please let me know how you do!!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Owner
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    Commentim very grateful there are people out there that are so helpful and not jugding when it comes to problems like these.


  • Add to this Answer
  • Ask a Question

Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.