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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Weight post anorexia recovery

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 1/13/2010


Question
I am recovered from anorexia. There is no doubt in that, for I never think of cutting anymore, and am not bothered by my appearance. I have gained back all my weight, and even 8 more kilos. My doctor says itll all slow down, and even go down at some point. Thing is, i still have trouble eating enough. It's alot better than at first, but I still do eat too much. And i don't see it getting better. I don't know what to do. I didn't care, but now, 3 months after getting back my normal weight, I am starting to worry. I feel I might be putting too much importance on my eating. Help?

Answer
Dear Antoine,

The main thing for you to be doing at this point is working with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and a good nutritionist or dietitian.  This is really the only way to moderate your weight and weight gain -- to be on a good meal plan that balances your intake.  An eating disorder is about so much more than weight or the food.  It's about all of the underlying issues that drive the eating disorder.

Congratulations on getting back to your normal weight --that is very hard to do, I know!  Your doctor is correct in the fact that the weight gain will level out and even go down a bit.  It's only been 3 months -- time is the great healer!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
888-520-1700
Www.mirasol.net
Www.edrecovery.com
@jeanniemirasol

Anorexia/Eating Disorders

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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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