|  | Thanks for your note to FEMINIST.COM. 
                                                  I'm not a physician--nor a mental 
                                                  health provider, so I can't 
                                                  give you an official diagnosis. 
                                                  (FYI--I said mental health provider, 
                                                  because eating disorders are 
                                                  classified under mental health.) 
                                                  However, I am a young woman 
                                                  who did have an eating disorder 
                                                  (bulimia--when I felt like I 
                                                  ate too much I would make myself 
                                                  vomit), so I can offer my own 
                                                  experience as well as that of 
                                                  others that I see through FEMINIST.COM 
                                                  and friends. 
                                                  One of the most obvious signals 
                                                  of eating disorders is an inability 
                                                  to see yourself as you really 
                                                  are--hence the reason that you 
                                                  think you aren't thin enough 
                                                  and others think you are perfect. 
                                                  Another signal is that your 
                                                  weight becomes an obsession. 
                                                  That said, I am worried about 
                                                  you. I think that you should 
                                                  listen to your body. You are 
                                                  a dancer, so, one, you need 
                                                  to sustain yourself, and, two, 
                                                  given this amount of daily exercise, 
                                                  I'm sure that you will find 
                                                  a natural balance. Going to 
                                                  extremes--i.e. binging and starving 
                                                  will hurt you and eventually 
                                                  your dancing career. I hope 
                                                  that you will listen to your 
                                                  friends and family --- and to 
                                                  yourself. Please keep healthy 
                                                  and see a doctor if you don't 
                                                  think that this is possible. 
                                                  You are not only starving yourself 
                                                  of calories, but of nutrition 
                                                  and strength. Eat, dance and 
                                                  I'm sure you will find a balance. 
                                                  Take care of yourself.
                                                  
                                                  Amy
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