Anorexia/Eating Disorders/eating disorders

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 1/4/2010


Question
heloo, i'm 14 and my name is paige. for the past three weeks i haven't eaten that well.  i dont get hungry and i eat when im bored.  i'm not physically over weight, but i know im fat i hate the way i look and hate the way i am.   all my friends say i should get help as im making myself ill
i dont konw what to do, so please help me, thanks. x

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Paige,

It's really great that you wrote.  People do so much better when they realize that they have a problem at an early stage.  What you need to do right now is to find a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.  You can talk with your mum about this -- tell her that you're depressed and that you're not feeling good about yourself at all.  If you can't talk with her for any reason, then find a school counselor or another adult that you're close to to talk about this!

I'm really glad that you wrote -- keep in touch and let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
888-520-1700
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
@jeanniemirasol
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannerustmirasol

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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