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Hi I am not sure why I am writing to you, I tell everyone I am fine. I used to have bulimia and then anorexia but I am better now. But I have started to fall back into bad habits and I don't know how to stop, I need to be in control and I don't know how to gain this.
Dear Sarah,
When a person has an eating disorder, part of the satisfaction from the eating disorder comes with being in control. This is something you know!
An eating disorder is a coping mechanism -- behaviors a person uses or begins to use when they have stress in their lives. What needs to happen is for a person to learn to use other coping mechanisms than eating disordered behaviors when "things happen."
I always recommend that a person see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders as well as a nutritionist. These professionals can help teach you how to live life without an eating disorder.
Life is life, bad and stressful things happen. It's all about how we handle the stuff that happens in our lives. This is our choice -- is it going to something unhealthy like alcohol and drugs or eating disorders, or positive things like volunteer work, music, art, sports, etc.?
Please keep in touch and let me know how you do. Let's see if we can keep you from going into full relapse!
Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
888-520-1700
Www.mirasol.net
Www.edrecovery.com
@jeanniemirasol
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Answers by Expert:
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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