Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Do I have a problem?

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 3/20/2011


Question
I'm 18 years old, I've noticed my behavior towards food is different compared to most other people. I was very bo I entered a verbally abusive relationship th that time, I started eating one meal a day ( skipping family dinner). I also began going week, and doing at least 500 sit ups every o between 120 & 160lbs. I've recently began ch Currently, I've been restricting calories to and sometimes purge the food. I get these a always have to know how many calories I'm co as to why I'm not hungry or already ate so t this has all become more apparent in the pas should do. Do I have a serious problem ?

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Olivia,

Yes, ma'am, you do have a problem!  You're bulimic with purging and with exercise --

It's wonderful that you've been able to write about it.  Just know that bulimia nervosa is a serious disorder and that it frequently can kill people.  I'm not trying to scare you but I want to tell you what can happen.  You need to go to www.mirasol.net, go to the learning center, and look at medical consequences of bulimia.

Seeing a therapist that specializes in eating disorders is also a great idea.

Please let me know how you're doing!

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

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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