Anorexia/Eating Disorders/recovery on my own

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 12/31/2010


Question
hi, i'm suffering from anorexia but i havnt been properly diagnosed by a doctor or anything. i'm 14 and i'm scared to go to the hospital where they'll put an IV in me. so me and my parents have decided to recover on our own. my mom is feeding me very high cal. meals every hour or so and i'm drinking Ensure a lot as well. My question is: is self recovery possible? have you ever seen/heard of any success resulting from self recovery? we are very positive about it but i would like to know if it will even work. & if it is possible, are we doing it correctly? Thanks x.

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Lia,

It's great that you're working with your parents on this.  I would say that another thing that could help is if you went to a dietitian for a meal plan.

What is your height and weight?  There is something that is called refeeding syndrome with anorexics that can make them subject to heart attacks during the refeeding process.  Have your mom look this up on the internet.  Also seeing a physician who can monitor your vitals and electrolytes to make sure that you're stable.  Other than that, it can be wonderful to recover with your family's help!

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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