Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Who do I turn to?

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 8/27/2009


Question
I am a 30 yr recovering AA-er, a 20 yr x smoker, ADD, BiPolar, OCD (on meds) and many years of ACOA and other therapy and obese. I've tried the Zone, WW, etc., but I am ready to admit I am a compulsive overeater. I have hypoglycemia, and now my blood sugar is getting close to diabetic. I binge at night on SUGAR-FREE stuff. My behavior scares me. Should I first go to a Dietician-Nutritionist for a plan? Are they equipped to handle the disease part of overeating? Or do I go to a Therapist who specializes in eating disorders/addictions? What credentials should I look for? I'm hoping to use my insurance plan for this. I also hope to follow thru with OA, but I feel like I need some guidance and structure about food and my eating first. I'd appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Anna,

It's great that you wrote!  Congratulations on your long-term sobriety!  Frequently people who get into recovery for alcohol will develop eating disorders.  There can be a severe chemical imbalance in the brain and some people need to find something where they can self-soothe.  This is why people switch addictions so easily.

See if you can find a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.  You can go to www.edreferral.com which is a treatment finder.  the site will help you find someone in your town.  The therapist can also refer you to a nutritionist who also knows about eating disorders.  Be careful of OA -- lots of OA meetings aren't the healthiest -- so choose with care.

You can look up eating disorder therapists then call your insurance company and see which ones are on their list.  You can also see your doctor about maybe a little bit of medication to help at the beginning.

Let me know how you do!  Good luck!

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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