Expert: Ryan Hale - 11/22/2009

Question
Okay I'm 16 5'9 and 101.4 lbs, my BMI is 15.19 according to my GP, last year I was in recovery before recovery i was 108-109 lbs (same height) I hated recovery i even took an overdose and was nearly sent inpatient 5 times, so I faked a recovery my weight went up to 115lbs then recently I lost it all and more in about 3 months, I eat between 800-1000 calories a day, I look at the calories all the time and only eat diet foods, I don't think I'm anorexic to be honest i think i have an obsession with food as I'm always reading anything to do with it (calories, how to lose weight etc) that i need to get rid of... but I went to my shrink as after a check up with my GP he was very concerned with the weight loss now my shrink wants to secction me but i don't understand why am i bad enough? =S and is my weight low enough? I still want to lose some weight... I also have anxiety I get panic attacks once a day and I also have depression.
thanks =]


Answer
Sorry for the delay in getting to your email.  At your height, the BMI you've told me puts you at "starvation" level.  I can understand the dislike of the idea of going back into recovery and especially as an in-patient, however, you have some real issues that need to be dealt with.  The best way to get a handle on it all may be to do therapy "full-time" for a little while.  The time you spent in recovery the first time is not wasted... set backs are all part of the process.  The anxiety and panic attacks, obsession with food and calories,  as well as the overdose attempt are sometimes common in patients with your condition.  It is very important you take the time to work on these things.  Also, I suspect that you could stand to do some therapy with those in your life such as family members or boyfriends/girlfriends.  Ask about how you can incorporate some of the significant people in your life into the process.  You can get well, but you need to let those people who can help, into your life and be open to it.  I agree with your therapist that you may need to go back into the recovery process, but not because I'm on their side and want to tell you what to do... it's because they can help you and I'd like to know that you are allowing yourself to be helped.