Expert: Gerri Helms - 4/8/2009

Question
Hi, I'm 5ft 11, at 16, 10 years ago I was admitted to hospital for anorexia at under 6 stone. I find that people underestimate the severity and symptoms of anorexia in its earliest stages. I wasn't listened to by professionals until I was extremely malnutrition. What can be done about this?

Answer
good question, Annie. Eating disorders are probably the least understood of any disease, especially by the medical profession. I can speak for this country, when I tell you that our healthcare professionals are clueless about anorexia, bulima, binge eating disorder and others.

You might want to check out Overeaters Anonymous, at www.oa.org. It may seem an oximoron, but although all do different things with food (under eating, over eating, purging), the mental side is very similar. I've worked with both sides of the disease and found that OA gives very good support to all with eating disorders.

There is also a Food Addictions Professional Association in it's early formation. We met in Houston in January, and hopefully this group will educate the professionals.

I hope this helps. It's a start. Change begins with us.
Gerri Helms
Life and Health Coach