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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/am i healthy?
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Question
Before (a month ago), i weighed 98 pounds. I was 5'1, which
is a good height for my 13 years of age. I haven't weighed
myself since then but i have been eating less. My tummy is
smaller now. It's still not how i want it to be but its
better. What i eat per day could be something like this (it
changes): cereal in the morning with an extra cup of milk to
drink; home-made hamburger for lunch (two loafs of normal
bread, an average hamburger sized piece of meat,lettuce,
tomato, and water to drink; and for dinner, it is chicken
and water to drink. I resist the temptation to eat treats. I
know that i dont have anorexia because i eat too much to
have that disease. Am i eating too bad? Or normal? My
parents worry because i ate more before.
Dear Kelsey,
Breakfast is pretty good, but you could add some fruit. Also fruit at lunch, and certainly vegetables and maybe a potato or rice with your chicken. Eating healthy snacks between meals is great as well.
What concerns me is that you're paying such close attention to your body and restricting what you're eating at such a young age. I hope you're not on the road to developing an eating disorder.
Read some books written by some recovered anorexics -- and you'll see the literal hell they've been through. It might seem glamerous at the beginning but it rapidly deteriorates into a full-fledged eating disorder.
Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
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Answers by Expert:
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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