Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: I starve myself as much as I can I also purge when I'm 2 full and I exercise for lik hours I also think I'm fat but to me I'm dieting cause I'm almost 14 and I'm trying to get to 85lbs mabye less but my friends think I'm anorexic is that true?

ANSWER: Dear McKenzie,

How tall are you and how much do you weigh?  My guess is that you're anorexic and bulimic -- your behaviors are very frightening!  Did you know that the highest cause of death in teenage girls is anorexia and then bulimia.  20% of anorexics die!

What do your parents say about this?  It would be so good if you could see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders!

Please let me know how you do!!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm 95lbs but I still think I'm fat but I eat in front of my parents and don't throw up that often it's just like I'm having a war in my head I'm 5' 0 is that normal?

ANSWER: What you're feeling is typical anorexic thinking.  People when they're 65 pounds think they're fat!  as you lose more and more weight, your ability to see what's real and to know the danger you're in will decrease and decrease.

The war in your head, as I said, is normal anorexic thinking.  I'm worried about you!  It's time to talk to your mom and get some help!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry for bothering you soo many times but im still curious. Like one time my mom got these really good looking iced cupcakes and i was about to take one but then my mind said no and then it was like an arguement but i won that time luckfully.When i eat now i still feel guilty like i have chocolate milk in the morning and nothing for lunch and a whole dinner because we have a family dinner but when i have dessert i feel soooo guilty.Purging is hard so i don't do that really at all anymore and laxatives make your stomach hurt sooooo bad.I have alot of stress cause my mom basically controls my life and everything in it.But i think what im doing is stupid but my mind disagrees.If i told my mom she would freak out or do something insane but i don't want to be 100lbs ever! I just want to stay in 90's mabye get lower.I also had a journal where i would write everything in.Alot of girls do think im anorexic but i told them i wasn't but now im making like c's in my grades and my mom wants to get me a tutor!My friend has all 50's so i don't know why she has to care so much about my grades im not even in highschool this is making me go back to where i started!

Answer
It sounds as if your mom loves you very much and she knows that the only way that you can be a successful adult is to well in school and go to university.  The eating disorder is pulling your grades.  I still think that if you were able to see a counselor about the eating stuff and then have your mom come in and talk to the counselor with you about her controlling,  I think you could make a giant start in getting better and living a great life again!

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