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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/I am scared about the damages

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 7/24/2009


Question
I am 14 and I restricted my eating in March.  I skipped all my school lunches. My mom detected the problem and brought me to a therapy. I was around 84lbs and 5'3' at that time. I started eating again in June and I eat 3 normal meals, one snack and one dish of fruit for more than one month. I gained 8 lbs in a week and lost 8 lbs again in the other week.  I want to be normal again. What has happened to my weight? Can I still grow? Can I get taller? When can I get my period back? I lost it in March.

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Yvonne,

I'm so glad that you wrote me!  I can be scary when you think about how damaging an eating disorder can be.  Fortunately in your case, your mom was aware and got you to therapy right away.  Are you still seeing your therapist?  I hope so --

What is your weight now?  At the beginning when someone begins to refeed themselves, weight can zoom up and down as your body and metabolism gets re-established.  Another good idea for you would be to see your doctor.  Have some blood work done, have an EKG to make sure that there has been no damage to your heart, and really have a good check-up.  You've not had the eating disorder for a long time so you should be alright.

People get their periods back when their BMI reaches 17-18.  That would mean that you'd need to weigh 95-100 pounds.  Ideally you can learn how to eat normally and not have to worry about the numbers.  See if you can find some reading on intuitive eating!

Please keep in touch and let me know how you do!

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

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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