Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/7/2011

Question
Hey, so I'll start by Giving you a brief history.. I have always been underweight, but when I was young it wasn't
Due to an eating disorder or anything. I was just small, it was partly due to my blood condition, but that's irrelevant.
Anywho so I started restricting what I ate when I was about 14, I then started throwing up everything I ate, not binging as such, just eating a regular amount and throwing it up. (I have no idea if that's bulimia or what?)
So that went on for a few years. I then started having 'safe' foods that are low calorie, but that was also to much to stomach cause I continued to throw up.
P.s i've always been VERY physically active.
It goes on, when I was around 16 i wouldnt eat at all except dinner with the family, a normal sized portion, I would then also throw this up. (anorexic purging??)
I'm now 18, I dont eat. If I do it's in VERY small Amounts. (eg. 45g of a safe food, such as something with a lax effect) but sometimes i won't even be able to handle that and I'll purge.
I was diagnosed with depression, im underweight...but the eating habits confuse me... Would you say I have EDNOS, anorexia, bulimia???
I know I would need to see someone and be checked or whatever, so I won't take your answer as a definite, but can you please provide me with some insight? What do you personally think I would be classified under??

Sorry for the little rant I had there, and thank you for taking the time to read this.

Answer
Dear Elle,

Sometimes we all need to rant a little bit -- I know that I do!

Yes, you are definitely anorexic and bulimic.  No doubt about it.  Your symptoms are exactly those of someone who has had an eating disorder quite a while.

I don't put too much emphasis on diagnoses -- So many different ramifications of the diseases exist --  I do know that if your life is becoming miserable because of your eating behaviors that it's time to see a therapist and/or doctor who specializes in eating disorders.

Eating disorders are deadly -- 20% of people with anorexia die.  Anorexia has the highest death rate of any disorder -- even over depression, suicide and accidents.  It's extremely dangerous.

I hope that you're able to get a good physical and see someone for treatment right away.

Let me know if I can help!!

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com