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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Water Fasting for Personal Reasons

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 7/18/2009


Question
I am 14, female, 5'10", and approximately 150 pounds. I am on day two of my 28 day water fast and I am doubled over with hunger. I think the hunger is worth the cleanse and the weiight loss, and I really don't want to break the fast only to discover that my weight will pile on. How can I break the water fast without gaining all and then some of the weight back? A 1-2 pound weight gain would be ok.

Answer
Dear Libby,

I am so glad that you wrote!  A 28-day water fast is extremely dangerous.  I'm hoping that you're eating again by now!  And yes, when a person begins to eat agin, it's not uncommon to regain at least 1/2 the weight lost.  You are a good weight for your height -- healthy, slim, not fat!

I get so angry sometimes at the society we live in that makes girls such as yourself even think about doing something so dangerous!  Somehow in our country, we are losing the ability to see beyond someone's outer self.  We are becoming artificial, focused only on exterior looks --  I've known lots of beautiful girls who have been so focused on their bodies and their looks that they've actually stopped growing emotionally.  They act like they're kids when they are actually in their 20's.

Anorexia is the highest cause of death in adolescent girls -- and it sounds as if you're possibly gearing up to become anorexic.  I really hope not.  People don't realize how an eating disorder literally robs girls of themselves -- they end up living in isolation and pain -- a very sad state of affairs.

I haven't meant to lecture you, but I just want you to be well!

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

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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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