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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/I dont have an eating disorder..
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Question
Hi Jeanne,
umm, I'm a 14 year old girl, grade 9 and I love highschool. No one has called me fat before, but I recently started eating 3 baby crackers a day. And I haven't told anyone about this, but my mom randomly told me that she ate 6 crackers a day and she was considered "anorexic". Does that make me anorexic? I don't think it does because its not like I have totally stopped eating. I have so far done this for 3 days, and there has been no weight decrease. I wish there was though. I dont want my parents or even my best friend to know, because I dont want them to be like "oh, youe not fat" , because I can't face them when I know they would all be lying to me. So I just want to keep this to me. I am 120 lbs (a lot, I know) , and I really want to be 100. If I could get down to that, I would be extremely happy, and eat again. So technically, this isn't an eating disorder, right?
Thanks :)
Myraa
Dear Myra,
It's certainly the beginning of an eating disorder -- particularly since your mom had one. Eating disorders can run in families and are somewhat passed on through the generations. A person who is anorexic is one who is 85% of normal body weight.
Your weight is great! it is always so easy to become dissatisfied with our bodies. Think instead about what passion you might have in life? Is it music, art, etc.?
Let me know how you do!
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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