Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Binge Eating

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 10/28/2010


Question
I have always been concerned with my weight, as I am only 5ft tall and it is very hard to look slender being so short. I used to weigh around 120, and than I started counting my calories and becoming obsessed with what i ate. First I lowered it down to 1000, 900, 800 and slowly got down to eating around 200-500 for the past few months. I never would eat more maybe occasionally but not by very much. I was down to 99, 100 lbs maybe after I ate I would go to 102 but the past two week I have been binge eating every night, and I throw up after. I don't usually throw up just when I have been binge eating these past two weeks. Since I did it once I cant stop, and I no I already had a problem before not eating enough,now I can't stop and it makes me feel horrible after. now I am gaining weight, I am 108 and I feel and look horrible. I don't no how to stop this horrible cycle!

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Thanks for writing!  What has happened for you is that you've switched eating disorders!  This is not at all uncommon.  Anorexics frequently turn into bulimics and bulimics turn into compulsive eaters.  Compulsive eaters can turn into anorexics!

What a whirlwind --  There is a certain part of your brain that is not in balance and this is what causes people to have eating disorders (and switch them), use alcohol and drugs, or any other compulsive behaviors as a way to self-soothe.

I would recommend several things for you -- because you don't need to live like this.  You can be recovered, not be fat, and not have the cravings to overeat or throw-up.  How about that?

First thing to do is to go to your doctor, get the courage and tell him/her what's going on.  Then find a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.


After all of this, I'd love it if you could find someone in your area that does neurofeedback.  This is where you learn to retrain your brain wave patterns (I know, it sounds like rocket science) but it really is a life-changer!

Please feel free to keep in touch with me with more questions or whatever you need.

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
1-888-520-1700

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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