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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Do I have an eating disorder?

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


Question
I'm 17 years old. When I was 12 I started to eat differently. I don't eat anything until 4 or 5 PM everyday. Then I feel guilty and don't eat anything for the rest of the day or try not to. I rarely binge eat but if I do it's usually on weekends. I eat around 1,200-1,800 calories each day but, it is usually only in one meal. Recently though, there have been days when I only eat 400 or 600 calories. Also my hair started falling off 2 years ago but that's not so important. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing this on purpose because I want my parent's to have a reason care about me. I think that there is a problem with my eating however,  I don't think I have an eating disorder because I am overweight. I weigh 164 lbs and my height is 5'1. Do you think I could have an eating disorder?

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Kandy,

I'm so glad that you wrote.  One thing that most people don't know is very often the weight on the scale has absolutely nothing to do with "naming" an eating disorder.

Your hair falling out is a sign that you're starting to have major consequences from the way you've been eating.  Being overweight does not mean that you don't have an eating disorder.  There is a category of eating disorders that is called Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified or EDNOS.  You don't meet the full criteria for either anorexia or bulimia.

Eating disorders or eating behaviors are merely the tip of the iceberg.  They are caused by your underlying issues which you've named!  You want your parents to care about you -- and that is so sad.  So many parents today are so busy, their kids just survive and don't get the love and nurturing they need.

Please see if you can see a therapist, or go to some kind of group like Eating Disorders Anonymous or Al-Anon.  Any 12-step group would be terrific for you for support.  You can find a group online at www.mirasol.net as well!

Let me know how you do!

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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