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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/anorexia now excessive exercising

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 5/20/2011


Question
hi,

I am not sure if you can help at all but i am in a serious stage of limbo and feel like im back at square one again!
I suffered from serve anorexia dropping to a mere 4 stone 10 (30kilos) 2 years since I am now at a healthy weight of 7st 9 (49 kilos) i managed to up my weight slowly through combination of eating but compulsively exercising, and since reaching my desired weight i cannot stop, I eat just over 2200 calorie (compulsively calculating) and doing at least 2.5 hours to 3 hours of aerobic exercise a day, jogging, cycling, swimming you name it I also weight lift every other day It has taken over my life, if i do not exercise i do not eat end of!!

I have never been fat and my heaviest weight was about 55kilos I am 23 and 5ft 3.5
I am so unhappy i want to be able to eat normally and not worry, I want to live...

I just have this feeling that if i stop exercising I shall get fat and put on loads of weight, but my exercise routine seems to be making me gain weight as it is!!

I would really appreciate any advice that you could give me thank you

Fran

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Fran,  

The number of calories you're eating sounds great.  Also your height/weight with a body mass index of 18.5.  Have your periods returned yet?

Now the bad news.  You've gone from anorexia nervosa to bulimia nervosa -- bulimia is not merely purging.  It is any compensatory way that a person uses to deal with the calories.  You're using compulsive exercise to compensate for the calories you're taking in.  People will also use laxatives and diuretics.

What has happened to you is not at all unusual.  You've merely switched eating disorders.  Are you seeing a therapist?  The disease is not about the food but it's about all of the underlying issues that you have which keep you in a place of needing to self-soothe -- a very unconscious need.

Now is the time for you to get into some intensive therapy -- a couple of times a week.  I know that your health care system puts strict limits on what you're able to do for mental health -- but if you could find someone privately if you can spend some $$.  If you're in London, I know a fabulous therapist there.  You might also see if there are any out-patient programs in your area -- again difficult in England.

Please keep in touch with me and let me know what you decide to do. Let me know how I can help!!

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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