Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 11/9/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello, i am dealing with bad habits right now. Im 5'3" and weigh 8st 7lbs. I have a very restrictive diet and eat roughly 300 to 400 calories a day. I calorie count and buy foods that are within my calorie range, this means i eat once a day. I feel extremely guilty if i go over my amount which means i have to burn it off. I see myself as fat when i look in the mirror even when i get told im thin or should put on weight. I feel the need to constantly weigh myself and always think about food. My weight has dramatically dropped over the months but never feel satasfied. I dont have a ideal weight but would just be happy with being thinner.   Im not sure if this is a eating disorder and if i should seek help but i know i dont want help at the moment. Thanks in advance for any reply.

ANSWER: Dear Shaynie,

I am so glad that you wrote!!  You definitely have anorexia nervosa and possibly bulimia with the excessive exercise.  

Anorexia is such a dangerous condition.  20% of people with anorexia die.  Anorexia is the greatest cause of death for young women of any diagnosis -- more deadly than depression, accidents -- and bulimia is second.  You're really doing something that is not good at all for you.

Anorexics frequently have heart attacks because the body literally feeds off of itself, muscle mass, major organs, etc. when it's not getting the food or fuel it needs.

I would encourage you strongly to at least go to a therapist that specializes in eating disorders and have an assessment.  You might feel that you're not ready to get well yet, but you'll have more information.

Please let me know if I can help you!

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

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

QUESTION: Thank you very much for this answer. I thought Bulimia was when you made yourself sick? I deffinatly don't make myself sick but I have thought about it at times along with laxatives. I managed to pull a muscle in my leg which has stopped me doing any exercise. (I have tried but feel as though my leg will snap). So I no longer do exercise and now I'm fearing that I will gain muscle weight so just restrict to 300-400 calories a day. Is it still classed as anorexia/bulimia?
I also don't want to get better, I am scared if I tell mt therapist she will force me to stop. Would I be forced into treatment?

Answer
Dear Shaynie,

Yes, eating 300-400 calories a day is restricting and this is what anorexics do!  Bulimia is not just purging.  It is also taking laxatives, diuretics, overexercising -- anything that a person uses to compensate for food you've eaten -- any way to get rid of it.

Your therapist can't force you to stop.  No  one can.  However, if you lose too much weight, you can be forced into the hospital for refeeding.  It's much better to be able to choose a gentle type of treatment and go to a place where people will listen and understand you.

If you don't want to get better, you can't be forced to.  Only when you decide to do something about this deadly condition.  It's up to you!  I've seen young women who have weight only 65-70 pounds when they've been made to go to treatment so they won't die!  It's all up to you.

Just know that there's another way of living life -- a way that is so much more satisfying where you can make your dreams come true.  You can't do that with an eating disorder.

If I can ever help you, just let me know!

Warmly,
Jeanne