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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Maintaining on 900 calories

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 8/3/2009


Question
i am suffering from anorexia and my weight is holding at 900 calorie and i weigh 34kgs at 5ft 1, my dietician said i should be having at least 1200 calories and i wouldn't gain weight but im sooo confused please i need help!

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Rachel,

What happens when you're eating so little is that your metabolism literally goes into starvation mode -- it's the body's way of protecting itself.  If you eat more, such as 1200 calories, you probably won't gain weight (maybe a bit of water weight for a couple of weeks) and your metabolism will start up -- like a little engine!  The little engine will burn the additional calories that your eating and you'll feel so much better!!

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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