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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/steps?
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Question
i know that an eating disorder does not develop over night. But what are the steps in its development. Like if u started loosing weight and then slowly moved to more drastic measures, in what order did these measures happen before u have a full blown disorder
Dear Alex,
I'm so glad that you wrote me!
There is no order whatsoever in the development of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are such individual conditions and they don't follow any kind of predictable path. I wish they did!
I'm curious -- are you practicing some eating disordered behaviors now and are wondering when to stop so you won't get a full-blown eating disorder??
One thing that you do have correct is that eating disorders are progressive!
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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