Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Recovery

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 5/28/2011


Question
I am a 5 foot 2 inch, 19 year old female.About a year ago, I began dieting.  I started out at 173, and I am currently 125 pounds.  I am happy where I am now, and I have been able to maintain this weight for about a month.  4 months ago, however, I began only having a light period for about a day.  That lasted 2 months.  The last 2 months I completely skipped my period.  For a while I was eating about 1,400 calories a day and I was working out for anywhere between 1 & 2 hours 5 days a week.  I realized how harmful this was about a month and a half ago, and I upped my calorie intake to between 1,700 and 2,100 calories a day.  In addition, I exercise between 30 & 40 minutes a day and began taking a multi-vitamin.  If I continue with this regime, will I get my period back?  If not, what should I do?  I would like to maintain my current weight and be healthy.

Answer
Jeanne Rust, PhD
Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Jess,

You have a BMI (body mass index) of 22.9 which is very normal.  Usually what happens to people with eating disorders is that they lose their periods when they are dieting/getting too thin/exercising too much.

Have you seen your doctor?  I would get a check up to make sure that there is nothing physical wrong.  If it's the eating disorder, then keep on eating 2200 calories a day and maintaining your level of exercise (30-40 min).  You should get your period back if you're truly 125 --  Sometimes this all takes time.

Learn to trust your body -- it knows exactly what is right for it if you feed it healthily -- lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, and some fat.  Well-balanced --

Please let me know how you do!


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