Question: My friend swears by these diet pills she gets over the internet. She says they give her an energy buzz and really reduce her appetite. I keep telling her they can’t be safe but she says I am overreacting and don’t know what I’m talking about and that she’s been talking them for more than 2 months now, has lost like 10 pounds and hasn’t experienced any side effects. Is there such a thing as a safe diet pill that really works to help people lose weight? Should I be worried that she is using these pills for so long and that really who knows where they come from? I am worried about her but she won’t listen to me. I have been thinking about talking to her parents but this is such a betrayal of her trust so I do not want to do this if she is right and I am wrong.

Jody Hansen Says...:

Yes, you are correct. The pills that your friend is taking could cause damage to her. Certainly,finding them over the internet is not a wise way to purchase medications. How would one verify if the seller is reputable? There is no "quick fix" for weight reduction. If that were the case, someone would be a millionaire. The only quotient is reduction in the caloric intake and increase in calorie burning activity. You are a good friend to be concerned with her wellbeing. You must think about this: Would you be okay should something happen to your friend as a result of these pills? If you think that you would have regret, then I believe contacting her parents would be the thing to do. If you friend is truly that, she eventually would know that you had her best interest at heart. Once you inform her parents, then you must be able to "let it go" recognizing that you have no further control. Have strength and go with your instincts. Good luck.

Question: I've struggled with anorexia for nearly twelve years, and have been in and out of treatment in the past two years - missing precious years of college (i know, my life is more important blah blah), but my true question is, after my stay at a treatment facility that was in your state, I learned of a lot more trauma and dissociative amnesia, and identity alteration. My internal system started going haywire and I began switching into mainly child parts who were trying to express the trauma. My insurance decided that after my DD-NOS diagnosis that I was not benefiting from that programme (although I think it is the best place I've been out of the many I've gone to..) I was sent back to my parents' house (an unsafe environment, due to substance abuse (not myself) and abuse, which staff knew when they sent me there) I am struggling to find options of treatment centers that will work with both my ED (though it is not the primary issue, I still do need to gain weight and work on behaviors), as well as trauma and be able to work with dissociative patients.. So many places i've been referred to have denied me (Sierra Tucson, Laureate, Rogers, Life Healing Center (well they accepted me but it costs too much despite insurance), Center for Change, Renfrew, Remuda, and the ERC in Denver. Do you know of any other places I can look into? I really need to get into somewhere as soon as possible, and though it's not necessary, I would love to be back in the New England area, where I live normally. Thank you so much for your help.

Jody Hansen Says...:

There are a few other options that you should check into in no specific order:

1. Bridges to Recovery
2. Trauma Disorder program at Sheppard-Pratt hospital
3. McLean hospital
4. Women's Institute for Incorporation Therapy
5. Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute
6. and lastly there are several programs overseen by Colin Ross, MD one of the foremost experts in DID. His programs are Timberlawn Trauma program in Texas, Forest View Hospital in Michigan, and the Del Amo Hospital in Calif.

I do not know if these places accept insurance or not. You would need to contact them to find out. Further information can be found on the internet. Good luck in your search.

Question: My daughter is quite overweight and I believe that she uses food as a way to control her emotions. She will eat a normal amount at dinner but will often sneak into the kitchen later in the night and eat quite a lot by herself later on. My husband, my son and myself are not overweight, so I do not believe that she has a metabolic condition. We have tried getting her to exercise with us and various whole family diets but they do not work because they do not seem to address the root cause of the overeating. I think she would benefit from some sort of food counseling, but I do not think she has an eating disorder so I am not sure what type of help she needs. Can you recommend a type of therapist or therapy type that fits her needs?

Jody Hansen Says...:

You are correct in that compulsive over-eaters frequently use food to help cope with uncomfortable emotions. I would suggest that a complete physical is in order to rule out any medical issues. She also needs to begin therapy with a counselor or social worker who specializes in eating disorders. They would be able to assess her situation and work with her on developing more positive coping strategies. They would also be able to address any underlying issues, such as family problems, sexual problems,etc that may be at root of the problem. The family may be required to become a part of the treatment at some point. For right now, love and support not nagging and pushing are in order. I wish her well.