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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Is it possible to have EDNOS even if you are Overweight?

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 5/11/2011


Question
I have been struggling with issues around food and eating for 10 years now I'm in my mid 20's. At first it was counting grams of fat but progressed to calorie counting, creating rules for eating, restricting food AND fluid intake up to maximum of 11 days in which time I lost 1.5 stone. I have also made myself sick. At present I am eating between 400-500 calories (Kcals) per day and exercising as much as I can. I keep a daily chart to track calories, food, weight and BMI. My current BMI is 29 ish. I am using over the counter diet pills. I have never been diagnosed with an eating disorder (I have mental health problems too which seem to take priority because of self harm and suicide risks). I feel really unhappy about my weight and my significant other tells me I'm fat and unattractive. I am 81.2kg. I want to know whether i should seek further help and whether it is possible to have EDNOS if you fall into "overweight" category of BMI?
Thanks, Sandra

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Sandra,

A diagnosis is not your problem!  It's the fact that you're anorexic and bulimic right now.  Strange to hear, I know.  But when I hear about your behaviors, I can certainly see the anorexia and the bulimia with the constant exercising.  Did you know that it's possible to lose weight and not have to use an eating disorder to do that?

What kinds of meds are you on?  I just can't stress enough how dangerous your behaviors are.  You can actually eat normally, exercise appropriately and lose weight.   We become so locked up in our heads that we can't imagine how we can actually drop some weight.

BTW, get yourself a new significant other!  You need him like a hole in the head.  You need someone who is supportive and nurturing while you're going through this difficult time.  The way he/she talks to you is emotional abuse!  A visit to a psychotherapist who specializes in eating disorders could help tremendously.

Please keep in touch and let me know how I can help you.

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
http://www.facebook.com/Mirasol
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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