Question: I just read that the best first step to overcoming bulimia is to try an evidence based self help program by myself, before I even need to think about getting treatment. I am a 21 year old woman who has been binging and purging off and on but with increasing frequency for about 2 years. Would you agree that trying a self help program first is a good idea before getting other treatment and can you recommend an evidence based self help program for bulimia, because I am not sure exactly what that means?  

Dr. Shirley Schaye Says...:

There is an Online Bulimia Programme --- http://www.bulimiahelp.org/bulimia-recovery-program. I have to say that I don't know anyone who has participated in this programme though. There are a lot of testimonials though.

I have treated a few bulimic patients, very successfully, over the years but obviously this was not a self help programme.This was psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy which worked very well.

Dr. Shirley Schaye

Question: Can I have an eating disorder even if I am not very skinny or very fat? I am 5 foot 4 inches tall and I weigh 120 pounds. I am very fit but I also pig out eat and then exercise like crazy to make up for all the food I will eat in a pig out session. I do this a few times a week and I exercise for hours every day to stay skinny. No one knows about my pig outs and everyone else thinks I am a very healthy person. I feel like my eating and working out is taking over my life but even when I try to stop myself I can not.

Dr. Shirley Schaye Says...:

I know you asked this question on May 7th., but I have been out of the country until this AM so that's why the delay.

So my answer to you is yes, you have an eating disorder. Or maybe it
would be better for me to say --- does it really matter what we call it
if you are plagued by your obsession over pigging out and then
obsessively working out. So whatever you may want to call it I think it
would help for you to see someone so that you don't spend your life
obsessing about your weight the way you do.

If you tell me your city, state and zip code, I will help you find someone who can work with you about this.

 Dr. Shirley Schaye