Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Growth Stunt

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 10/6/2010


Question
Hi,
I'm am a 19 year old guy and when I was about 17, I had an eating disorder. I am now past it, but I was wondering if it could have stunted my growth. I would eat very little, sometimes a meal a day. I was 150 pounds, 5'10, when I started and was about 110 when I stopped.

It lasted about 6 months, maybe a bit more. If it did stunt my growth, can I still keep growing even though I'm 19? I'm now back at 150.
Thank You  

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear John,

I'm so glad that you wrote!  

First of all congratulations on recovering from anorexia.  It is not an easy thing to do!!  Your height and weight seem OK right now -- you're slender, which is fine -- are you eating healthy foods?

I don't think that your growth has been stunted.  Given your age, you could certainly still grow another inch or two.  What makes this so difficult is that all people grow and different times and different rates depending on heredity and genetic makeup.  What is the height of other males in your family?

I really do think that you're completely OK!

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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