Anorexia/Eating Disorders/underweight question

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 12/23/2009


Question
My aunt is 5 feet & 3 inches tall and weighs about 97-102 pounds. She is 54 (shhhh)years old. She keeps dieting and dieting and WONT stop. She works out everyday. Is she TOO skiny??? How much should she weigh????

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Keira,

It seems to me that your aunt certainly doesn't weight enough.  She's anorexic and an exercise bulimic.  You can use her as a role model for what not to do!

She's probably not going to change much at this point given her age, unless her eating disorder begins to cause her to have medical consequences.  Then you can suggest that she might see a professional, a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.

Good for you for asking!

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

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

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