Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 8/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: I always was a fat kid I suffered from both anorexia and bulimia for a number of years.  I have been recovered for 3 years.  However I gained a ton of weigh during recovery!  I am bigger boned and will never be underweight but I ended up weighing 215.  I have been so upset seance I gained the weight but have been under close eye with my doctors.  About 4 months ago I stopped seeing them.  Sense then I have gotten my weight down to 153.7.  I'm 5'6" and want to get down to about 105 or so.  I've have tried to stop dieting so harshly however I can't seen to find a moderation point.  Do you have any help???


Thank you
jevanie

ANSWER: Dear Jevanie,

You are a perfect example of someone who is switching eating disorders!  You've gone from anorexia to bulimia to compulsive eating and now back to anorexia again -- a person can weight 153 pounds and st still be anorexic if all of her behaviors and mindset is anorexic.  It's great that your doctors were monitoring you.  Do you have a therapist?

Eating disorders are not just about the number on the scale.  The eating behaviors are merely the tip of the iceberg.  They are about all of the issues underneath that cause us to use eating behaviors as a way of coping with the stress in our lives.

My hope for you would be that you'd find a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and have some sessions -- see what they might say.  I have seen so many people who have been heavy starve themselves, not be able to stop, and all of a sudden their weight is dangerously low (as your weight would be at 105).  You'll need to see a nutritionist as well to help you learn about what how you're eating affects your weight!

Keep in touch, and let me know how you can do.

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

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

QUESTION: Whenever I try to eat anymore then I normaly do I start crying and can eat it! Is this normal? I don't remember reacting like this before!  I can't find a nutritionist to help me.  Do you know anything I can try to find someone?I look forward to hearing from you again. You are very helpful.

Thank you
jevanie

Answer
Dear Jevanie,

It is not at all normal to cry when you eat!  Eating is something that should be fun and nourishing for your body!

Go to www.edreferral.com and you'll find on that site therapists and nutritionists in your area.  You can also look in the yellow pages of your phone book and maybe ask your doctors?

Let me know what you find out!!

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