Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 10/2/2011

Question
Hi I think i have got an eating diordes, i have been makin myself sick for about 7 years now. I used to be really big, at my heaviest 19 stone and i started makin myself sick, ive now lost ova 6 stone and cnt seem to maintain a healthy diet. If i eat something fattening then i want to make myself sick or will just eat until i am so full that i make myself sick. I just don't know how to control this and know that i won't stop because i do'nt want to put on weight. I still need to lose weight but find this extremely hard and just usualy stay at the same weight. I know i need help but im just scared and i know if i stop makin myself sick then i will just go bigger. Just realy dont know what to do.

Answer
Dear Emma,

I'm so glad that you wrote me.  You are definitely bulimic.  Being bulimic is dangerous and is not much fun.  It's great at the beginning while you're losing weight but then medical consequences start to happen.  One thing that happens is that your metabolism slows down.  You're experiencing this right now.  This is the reason you've stopped losing weight.

I know how scary this is for you.  I'm a recovered anorexic/bulimic and I'll never forget how horrible it was at the end.  My teeth were gray, my hair was dull and falling out.  I had no energy.

I didn't have any money for therapy so I ended up going to AA and Al-Anon meetings.  Now there are Overeaters Anonymous, Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous, Eating Disorders Anonymous.  If you have National Health insurance, you can ask to see a therapist or dietitian.  It will take a long time to get in but it's something.  A good dietitian would be helpful as well -- maybe one online where you can get an idea of how to eat free --
Please let me know how you do!  I know how hard this is!

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