EmpowHer, the home of women’s health online, is a unique resource dedicated to improving women’s health and well-being. I was recently interviewed on the subjects: eating disorders, addictions, obesity.  See videos of these interviews at:
http://www.empowher.com/users/dr-carolyn-ross

Did you know that stress can promote weight gain by:

1. If stress affects your sleep causing insomnia or unrefreshed sleep this can promote release of cortisol, the stress hormone which causes insulin resistance and weight gain.  Also poor sleep may affect other hormones such as ghrelin and leptin which affect feeding behaviors.
2. Stress can cause depression and this type of depression is associated with elevated cortisol levels and therefore weight gain.  Depression can also be associated with binging behaviors, especially in those with eating disorders which can affect weight. Some individuals with depression are also less physically active and this affects weight.
3. When under stress, studies show that most people indulge in more high-fat and sweet foods.  These foods typically have a higher number of calories and contribute to weight gain.  This was show after 9/11 when people reported eating more “comfort foods” and gaining weight.

What do you do about stress?  Consider doing something other than just “getting through it.”  To deal with stress try using body centered therapies such as acupuncture, massage or chiropractic.  You can take the stress vitamin – B-complex which also helps with depression. Consider the category of herbs called “adaptogens” which help your body deal with stress such as Panax or Eleuthero ginseng or Rhodiola rosea.  Take omega-3 fatty acids to help with mood. Make sure you get good sleep.  Valerian root may help with sleep.  Rather than pounding your body with intense exercise all the time, try some relaxing exercises such as yoga or swimming.  Strive for balance.  If you have an eating disorder, recognizing that your disease is a stressor on your body and so you need to support your body’s own healing ability by taking a multivitamin, B-complex, omega 3 fatty acids.  During stress make sure to avoid foods that stress out your body such as caffeine and sugar.  Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water.  Remember stress is good for your body when it motivates you to accomplish your goals but it can cause wear and tear on the body when stress is not well managed.

My new book, The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook is threatening to take over my life.  I’ve been out promoting the book and feeling very proud of my accomplishment of spending 2 years with writing and EDITING the book and now realizing that my work is not done, now I have to sell the book.  Feedback so far has been good and I’m finally beginning to feel like – with three books under my belt- that I can call myself a writer.

As I got out and talk about the books, I realize also that these three books catalog something about my life.  ”Miracles in Healing” was the beginning of my healing journey when my Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers and as her oldest, doctor, daughter wanted me to find help for her.  I started exploring alternative medicine but didn’t find much that would help her.  Shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FMS) – a diagnosis with lots of shame attached by the medical profession. I overcame the shame and through the use of conventional plus alternative therapies was able to overcome the CFS and FMS.  In the process, people showed up in my life with stories about their healing and I put their stories in this book and learned that there are specific traits of people who heal from serious and life threatening illnesses.  Knowing about this and putting it in the book, I have tried to become the doctor who helps others heal just as I continued on my own healing journey.  The updated book which is to be released later this year will add the part about my son, Noah, who died as a result of his mental illness at age 29 and what he taught me about applying alternative medicine to mental illness.

The second book “Healing Body, Mind and Spirit” speaks to the integrative medicine approach I developed while at Sierra Tucson and which was so successful in treating individuals with eating disorders, chemical dependency, trauma and mood disorders.  This book represents my “coming out party” as a truly committed integrative physician.  

My new book takes all of the above the next step.  Although it focuses on binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating, the book could be used by anyone suffering with an addiction.  It is unique in that it takes the reader through the processes I use with my own patients in a workbook fashion.  It is the consolidation of my understanding of what it takes to heal – deal with stress, have a solid nutritional base, take supplements, use alternative therapies, deal with your emotional issues and heal issues with your body.  It is the real deal!  

As I talk about the books at workshops, etc. I realize how far I’ve come.  I’m not the same physician who went to U of Michigan med school so many years ago.  And I am finally happy to be the physician/healer that I am – no regrets.