Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 7/31/2009

Question
Hi Jeanne Rust,

I am in desperate need for help concerning my recent weight gain. Previously (around 3 months ago) i have suffered from severe anorexia and being an elite athlete it took its toll i fainted a few times and nearly went into a rehab centre. Recently i have gained massive weight due to my "uncontrollable" obsessions with food. I have gained a solid 8 kgs within a few weeks and its worrying me as i cannot controll it sometime. I always feel like i should be eating more although i am full and often i plurge in the pool or while doing excersise. I feel i am getting extremely unfit and i need to tackle it before it gets out of control. I never used to think about food i.e calories etc and never had weight issues due to my excessive exersise programs however now i always overeat every time i tell myself i am not dieting, and when i dont overeat i feel extremely depressed!

Please could i have an honest response to the ways i should tackle this issue. I have tried many things like to stop dieting, eating high protein meals and most of the tricks of the trade.

Thanks,

Matt

Answer
Dear Matt,

I'm so glad that you wrote!

It sounds as if you're really struggling and it also sounds like you've switched eating disorders.  You've gone from being anorexic and a possible exercise bulimic to being a regular bulimic with binge  and purge behaviors!

I would suggest that you find a psychotherapist or psychologist that specializes in eating disorders.  See them at least twice a week.  If that doesn't begin to help, do go to rehab!  Please consider this before you get worse.

This is not a matter of will power or of finding the right diet.  Eating disorders are extremely complicated conditions and need the intervention of a skilled therapist.

Please let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com