About Saffron Expertise I can answer most questions related to Anorexia and other eating disordered behaviors. I am not a medical professional but have read a tremendous amount of medical and other information related to eating disorders out of curiosity.
Experience My eating disorder started when I was 15. I was anorexic until the age of 27. I went through periods of being less and more anorexic but I did not have a period for 10 years. I was a very high-functioning anorexic. When I hit about 70 pounds I knew I was at a point where I couldn't continue living a normal life (going to work etc.). I did not want to be hospitalized and I knew I was on a downward spiral. I struggled with severe depression and was given a prescription for an anti-depressant. It was not long after that I was really able to think more clearly and did not have the same level of anxiety and believe it or not, I made a choice. I could die or I could live and let go of my need for such control and not care so much how people perceived me and admit that I did not have to be emaciated to look normal as I had convinced myself. My recover started when I was 27 and I've not been "anorexic" since but I don't think one ever becomes totally free in the food and body area as one was before it all started. But I am very healthy now, not underweight and not overweight and eat healthily.
Education/Credentials I have a BA from an Ivy League college but no professional credentials.
Question Hey.....I'm 17 and been suffering with anorexia for over a year now not long but I've been in hospital 3 times and really don't want to go back! My councilor put me on a meal plan to try and maintain my low weight, but I've been weighing myself daily and I've gained a pound on it throughout the week!! But she says to keep at it until they get a clear view but i don't know how long i can because i keep gaining weight but she says your weight does funny thing through the week...... please help me to understand..
Answer Well your metabolism is going to be out of wack so when someone highly malnourished and underweight start eating again they can gain weight very quickly (which is a sign of malnutrition) but then it will stabilize. Don't be scared of it -this is normal. And I know it is hard to deal with. As long as you are eating healthy normal portions of food you are will gain in a steady good fashion and get back your strength and health. You may find that you suddenly lose a couple pounds too. And don't forget that our weight can naturally go up and down several pounds from one day to the next depending on what time of month it is, how much the food you actually ate weighs, or retaining fluids because perhaps you had a lot of salt. This is natural so you can't get too worked about a pound here and a pound there.
