Expert: Meg - 8/30/2007

Question
i think I'm in the midst of anorexia I'm 5f4 and 8stone i used to be 10 stone but dropped the weight in about a few months.i count all my calories i skip meals i feel so guilty and fat after i eat even after i drink a cup of hot chocolate i feel huge i also tell people I've eaten wen i havnt i know this is bad but if i go to a therapist they will just make me gain weight

Answer
Hi Evelyn,

Yes, dropping a lot of weight suddenly, skipping meals and feeling guilty or fat after eating are all signs of having an eating disorder.  If you have any qualms, here is a link to an online self diagnostic test:

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/quizzes/eating_profiler.asp?cp1=1

Its good that you are aware of what is going on and thinking (even if you're not sure) about getting some kind of help.  No, a therapist can not *make* you gain weight.  The only way this could even kind of happen would be if a therapist or physician felt that you were so sick that your life was in danger.  Then he or she might recommend you be hospitalized or attend a treatment program where they would work with not only your weight but everything else that caused you to develop your eating disorder.  However, the most likely scenario is that a therapist would just talk with you about what is going on and help you figure out why your developed anorexia and then give you some other ways to cope with stress or deal with whatever is behind the disease.  Many people are scared to see a therapist and deal with their eating disorders at first, but it really is a positive thing and something that leads to self growth and overall happiness.

I found this article for you (which I remember reading long ago when I, too, was leery about seeing a therapist.)  It basically outlines what goes on during therapy and eating disorder recovery:

http://www.joannapoppink.com/basics.html

Hope this helps.  Please feel free to write again anytime and take care!

Best,
Meg