Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 12/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: thank you for taking the time to ead my question. i am 31 years of age and have had an eating disorder for 15-16 years. i find i suffer really horrible digestive problems oscillationg between constipation and diarhea and im so afraid to eat in case i cause one or the other. iv looked up many ibs sites and i get really stressed anxious and confused as to the many foods that may be culprit and this has led to more phobias surrounding food. all physical exams came back fine but why am i in so much pain. it really effecting how and what i eat and is taking over my life. also i developed osteoporosis and have had no periods for 15 years, im so so scared. can i get help to reverse this. the fear of the physical consequences of what i have done to myself are creating huge panic and anxiety and this feeds my need to control..PLEASE HELP...thank you and wishing everyone sucess in thier recovery..

ANSWER: Dear Nicola,

I'm so glad that you wrote!  Could you please tell me your height and weight?  I have some  ideas -- but I need to know this first.

Thanks,

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: wow thank you so so much for the quick reply im truly grateful. to answer your question im 5foot 3 inchs(1.60m) and my weight is currently 43-44kg. i know im underweight for my height and this really frighens me as i know im not helping my body, but my mind is so overwhelmed with fear that i seem to be really stuck in moving forward for fear that only pain exists in my future.please, please others out there who may read this know that help is there for whatever difficulties life throws at them and you dont need to punish your poor bodies to get that and all know ye deserve to be healthy and well. Say NO to eating disorders, it doesnt deserve to take your life.. good luck to all and thank you Jeannie, your help and kindness is appreciated. nicola

Answer
Dear Nicola,

I am so glad that you wrote me!

I am so happy that I have good news for you!  The fact is that you can become cured from an eating disorder.  You can become well and not have the pain.  You might have some consequences as a result of being anorexic for so long -- frequently people with eating disorders also can have autopimmune conditions like IBS.  

You can be well -- I'm going to keep saying this -- evan an autoimmune disorder can be helped so the person experiences mild effects.

Now -- how to do this?  For you, you're going to need treatment for anorexia nervosa.  I would recommend that you go to a facility like Mirasol where you can get support and healing for your illness in a holistic way.  That's the only way it will work for you.  You probably need to see a good naturopathic physician who can help you eat again - -slowly as well as a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.

Recovery needs to happen by baby steps.  This is the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life --it's easier to become a brain surgeon than to cure oneself from an eating disorder.  But you can be well!  You can do the hard work!

Please keep in touch and let me know how you do!

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