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Question
Hello, My name is Carolina and I am a recovered anorexic. I suffered from an
eating disorder a little longer than a year, and after reading Haleys description
in this site of what has happened to her, I felt like she was speaking for
myself. Ive been trying to get back to my pre-anorexia weight for a year now,
and I can't even lose 1 kg. I have tried different diets, I exercise regularly, and
I am eating healthy. How I eat now is the healthiest I've ever eaten and in
calories its probably less than what I ate before anorexia and I still cant lose
weight. Ive had tests done, and a specialist told me I had hypothyroidism and
Ive been taking a pill that regulated the thyroid hormones for about 2 months
now, and still I am unable to lose weight. I feel like there is something wrong
with my body because what I eat does not measure up to the weight Ive
gained or why I cant lose it. I dont know what to do anymore, I do not feel
happy with the body I have now, and I am not going back to having an eating
disorder, I just want my lean and fit body I had before I had anorexia. Its
about 5 or 6 kg what I want to lose, which isnt much and a regular person
would lose that in 1 or 2 months, but I just cant.
I hope you can help me and give me an explanation or tell me what is
happening to me and what I can do to lose weight the healthy way.
Thank you.
Dear Caroline,
)
First of all congratulations on being recovered. I love the fact that you've said recovered -- and not in recovery because there is a vast difference.
I would go to an endocrinologist and have a good work up. Your problem obviously hormonal -- you know about the thyroid, but not about what else might be there.
I will say that the return to a perfect "pre-anorexic" state is something that can take a long time -- you could be looking at 3-18 months. The most important thing every day is to find something you like about your body and make an affirmation about it. i.e. I have the greatest looking knees today -- wow! :o) It's silly but it works.
I think you're on the right track as well by saying that you're not going back to having an eating disorder.
Try drawing a picture of yourself pre-anorexia, with anorexia, and then now -- let me know what you see!
Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
1-888-520-1700
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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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