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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/I was wondering if I could have a problem?

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 3/16/2011


Question
I'm 18 years old and I stand at 5'2. About three months ago I weighed 125 pounds and right now I weight 105. I can go days without eating much, and some days I won't eat anything at all. I figured it was normal though since I'm prescribed to adderall, because it makes me lose my appetite. After days of barely eating, I usually have a day where I eat a lot, to the point where my stomach feels sick, and then when I start feeling sick, I throw up. I never thought I had a problem because I'm still healthy, but my friends have been making comments and I'm curious to know if any of this is related to an eating disorder.

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Andrea,

You absolutely have an eating disorder -- anorexia and bulimia.  Many people can use eating disordered behaviors and still not have had any medical consequences -- yet.  To go from 125 to 105 is a huge drop in weight.  I can see why your friends are concerned.

Adderall is a tough one because it does kill one's appetite.  Do you take it for ADD?  You might find a neurofeedback practitioner in your town -- neurofeedback for ADD is a treatment of choice -- it's great because you don't need to take meds.

Please write me back with any questions you might have.  Also go to www.mirasol.net and go to the learning center -- you'll find a ton of information about eating disorders.

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

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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