Anorexia/Eating Disorders/recovering bulimic

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 2/9/2011


Question
I'm a recovering bulimic.I'm 16 and I began at 215 pounds and ended up at 98 pounds in about 9 1/2 months and I have been eating for about a week now, about 2000 calories a day now. I've gained 17 pounds this week is that normal? Am I eating too many calories? I've heard about starvation mode is there any way to get out of that faster? And also I have lost my period for months now and I was wondering when am I going to get that back? And I have lost a lot of my hair it is really thin will it fill back out since I have been eating normally again?

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Stephanie,

I am so glad that you're eating again.  Losing weight can be very seductive!  I have often seen someone who has been a binge eater or a compulsive overeater become anorexic -- or bulimic then anorexic.  This is why having therapy while you're recovering is so important.

I think that you should see a dietitian as soon as possible.  2000 calories is a good thing, but there is something that is called re-feeding syndrome. It's possible for an anorexic to have a heart attack or severe electrolyte imbalances while she's starting to feed herself again.  You really need to be under the care of a professional right now!

You should get your period back -- that usually happens when you reach an 18-19 BMI.  Your hair will grow back -- new and shiny -- but you do need the right nutrients.

Please let me know how you do!

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

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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