Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 10/14/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

I am 5"10 and currently weigh 139 pounds. I started a diet in June and also joined the gym, I got down to 140 pounds from 148 pounds in the first month. I have since left the gym as the numbers on the scales seem to be getting lower without exercise.
i realise that this is only because my muscle weighed more than fat in the gym and thats why the scales told me i was heavier.
i am not deluded, i know exactly what i am doing. i am attractive and i turn heads but i dont want thaat. i just want to be thin, reaaaly thin.
i eat very little and avoid leaving my room for fear of going to the fridge. i am open with ppl about what i eat and i am not hiding anything from anybody.
sorry for rambling, what do you think?

thanks a mill
elaine

ANSWER: Dear Elaine,

I'm curious.... what else is going on in your life other than thinking about your weight?  Anything stressful happening?  What do you think you'll "get" or "be" when you get really thin?

Your thinking is definitely eating disordered.  As long as you're thinking about numbers and being really thin, you don't think about anything else in your life.  Anything that could be stressful.

I'd like to hear more from you.  It also would be a great thing if you could see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.  This way you could work on some of your underlying issues before you become ill.  

Remember an eating disorder is rarely about the food!

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


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

QUESTION: Hi Jeanne,

Thanks for your reply. You are right, i dont have any real focus in my life, i have a good job but dont have the courage or will to climb the career ladder. Also have a great boyfriend we're saving for a mortgage.
My home life is pretty bad. I am not a very outgoing or social person and am usually highly strssed. Its like dieting is my own little hobby. i see anorexic girls and i dont envy their bodies (i think they look awful). But i do however, envy their willpower.
Not sure how to know if i could develop an ED, i dont want to stop dieting because then i will be fat and even more unhappy. But i dont want a disorder either. I am an intelligent girl. Very confused.

Dont people with disorders hide what they eat etc? i dont do that!
Thank you so much for listening i really apprciate it.

Answer
Well, my dear, you're well on your way to having an eating disorder.  Think about what you said --"I don't want to stop the dieting because then I'll feel fat and more unhappy."  So in essence, what you're saying is that you're paying attention to your diet and looks all the time, looking at anorexic girls.  

Unfortunately eating disordered behaviors have nothing to do with intelligence!  Eating disordered behaviors are caused by underlying conditions that cause you stress (like your home life).  You're using the eating behaviors as a coping mechanism for the stress.  This is why I'd love it if you saw a therapist who could help you with the underlying issues so you could find ways of dealing with the stress and learn new coping skills.  Does this make sense?

Warmly,
Jeannie