Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Advice please

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/29/2010


Question
I'm 5' 3' and 7 pounds underweight an eat once a day , excercise alot an
attempt to prge an period six weeks late not sexually active or pregnant
what can I do?

My therapist will be talking to my doc
Worried bout what would happen

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Christine,

There are many medical consequences for someone that has an eating disorder -- anorexia and bulimia because of the exercise.

Having your period stop or be late is one of the symptoms of an eating disorder.

Here are some of the consequences from bulimia:

ental: Increased dental caries (cavities), loss of enamel and dentin, increased sensitivity to heat and cold, pyorrhea, lacerations and contusions of the oral cavity from the use of objects to induce vomiting, obsessive-compulsive dental behavior.

Pulmonary: Aspiration pneumonia.

Cardiovascular: ECG abnormalities due to electrolyte disturbance, myocardiopathy due to ipecac.

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, bloating and fullness, esophageal perforations and lacerations, esophagitis, gastritis, gastric ulceration.

Renal: Tubular abnormalities due to electrolyte abnormalities, azotemia due to dehydration.

Orthopedic: Osteoporosis, stress fractures.

Dermatologic: Scars on the knuckles while inducing vomiting.

Fluid and Electrolyte abnormalities Fluid and Electrolyte abnormalities, skeletal muscle weakness, abnormal GI motility, cramps, frequent urination at night due to diuretics, constipation, emotional lability.

Chemistries: Increase in uric acid, uncrease in cholesterol.

Miscellaneous: Swelling of the lymph glands.

Psychological: Isolation and withdrawal from family and friends, striving for an abnormal body weight, fear of gaining weight, talk about feeling fat, depression, binge eating, difficulty eating in front of others, vomiting, overuse of diuretics and or laxatives, overconcern with body shape and weight, frequent strict dieting, compulsive exercising, mood swings, suicidal ideation, dishonest eating behavior, weight determines self esteem, eating for emotional comfort, disturbance of REM sleep patterns, ritualistic eating behavior, substance abuse history, history of addictive relationships, sexual acting out and acting in, spending disorder, shoplifting, preoccupation with physical symptoms, rage addiction.

It's scary!  

I'm so glad that you have a therapist that is checking up on you.  When we're young, we think that things happen to other people.  But one day we can wake up and find these severe things happening to us!

Please keep in touch and let me know how you do!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
8888-520-1700

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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