Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/22/2009

Question
First I would like to say thank you for volunteering your expertise on this site. What a wonderful help everyone has been. On other sites you have to pay a fee to get just a little bit of info that is not worth much.

I have a 19 year old son who has extreme bulimia.  He lived with his dad for a couple of years and for the past year has lived with me and I have caught him many times purging.  He stays asleep all day (mainly out of depression) and stays up all night when we are sleeping to eat constantly and burge.  Our food bill has tripled since he has moved in which is unfortunate since my husband is in construction and he is laid off more than he works. I am unemployed and my benefits just ran out. But we do have private insurance right now.  My son says he feels like he is a failure to me which is totally untrue.  I have panic disorder, severe depression with social anxiety and chronic insomnia.  I am his strongest advocate. Everyone in my family has these hereditary traits.  Our insurance unfortunately will pay for 5 inpatient days at a psych unit and then pay 10 outpatient counseling visits which is not even close to getting treatment the treatment he needs.  They also only pay 50% of the costs. He attended the Job Corp in Washington and will be accepted back once his is medically cleared.  They also offer 2 years of free community college which he is so anxious to get on with his life and reach his goals but this bulimia is holding him back.  Do you know of any medical schlorships or loans that are made for males that have eating disorders?  My son is now thinking suicidal thoughts which scares me.  He has a whole life head of him.  Any assistance you can offer would be so appreciated! Have a great day!

Answer
Dear Michele,

It's such a shame about your son!  There is a place in Knoxville, TN called Mercy Ministeries (?) where they offer free eating disorder treatment.  

Mercy Ministries of America
P.O. Box 111060
Nashville, TN   37222-1060
Phone:  (615) 831-6987
Website: http://www.mercyministries.org


You can also contact:

International Eating Disorder Referral Organization
2923 Sandy Pointe Suite 6
Del Mar, CA 92014-2052
Phone: (858) 792-7463
Fax: (858) 481-5143
The Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. They provide information and treatment resources for all forms of eating disorders.

I really hope this helps you and your son!

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