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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/what if you eat yet you lose weight?

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 8/12/2009


Question
My mom, if she eats something that doesn't agree with her body like oily foods she ends up losing so much weight. Even the foods that don't upset her stomach don't help much with maintaining her weight. She tries to eat really healthy too. She ends up losing alot of weight without doing anything(this I know for a fact) and I end up worrying if something is wrong with her body. Today she went down to 101 pounds when she should be 111 when her body fat is almost always low, a unhealthy range. I don't know what could be the cause of this but maybe you could tell me.

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Ami,

I'm so glad that you wrote me!  I can tell how worried you are about your mom!  It's possible that even though your mom is eating really healthy, that she's not getting enough calories.  She could have an eating disorder - anorexia -- and she could have something else.

If you can, tell her how worried you are about her and ask her if she would see a doctor to get checked out.  If she says OK, and goes in for a check-up and tests, then she's probably not anorexic.  But if she refuses to get a check-up, then I'd start making a list (privately) of what she's eating -- do you have any brothers or sisters or dad at home who you can talk to about this?

Keep in touch with me -- and we'll figure it out!

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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