Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 1/12/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi I'm 13 years old and don't know what to do.

Lately I don't seem to be able to eat alot or any full meals and when I do I sometimes throw it up. When I do eat something I'm normally full within a few mouth fulls too. I think this is why i've been losing weight recently too. I know this isn't normal, what can I do?

I've always been conscious about my weight and always wanted to loose weight. Lately when I weigh myself and i find out I've lost a few pounds I always seem really happy and just want to lose more each time and I do. I want to stop losing weight but as i'm scared i might get too skinny. I've been looking on the Internet and it says a girl for my height(5'5# and weight#108 pounds)I should have a bmi of 18.5-25, but mines only 18 and as I'm not eating properly I'm worried it'll get even lower.

My Mum keeps shouting at me when I don't eat al my dinner but when i try to explain to her that I'm full she doesn't believe me. The other day she forced me to eat it all and then soon after I was sick. All my clothes seem to be getting a bit looser and I just don't know what to do, Whether I should get some advice and if so where from or just carry on how I am.

Please help me!


ANSWER: Dear Hannah,

I'm so glad that you wrote!  The best thing for you to do would be to get some professional help -- see a therapist or counselor that specializes in eating disorders before you lose more weight and get really ill.

I believe you when you say that you're full --  the thing to do is to eat little meals -- eat 3 small meals and 3 snacks a day -- it sounds like a lot of meals but it will help you stabilize your blood sugar and activate your appetite.

Have you been depressed at all?

Let me know how you are!

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


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

QUESTION: Well...Not fully depressed but i've got alot of family problems going on (and I haven't been myself recently) but I've had problems like this going on before and it's never made me ill or loose weight.

Answer
Dear Hannah,

Family problems can frequently be the cause of an eating disorder.  Even though the problems didn't cause an eating disorder before, it did this time.  Go to www.mirasol.net and then find the part that is the Learning Center -- then go to causes of eating disorders -- you'll find that you fit right in!

I really do hope that you can go to a therapist --when a family is having problems, it's upsetting, but the therapist can help you learn how to deal with the stress of your family.

Keep in touch!

Warmly,
Jeannie