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Speaking Point: In response to comments that her daughter Lindsay is getting too thin, Dina Lohan was quoted as saying “ I’m a Mom. If I see my daughter is a little thin I say ‘ Eat more McDonald’s.” Is Dina Lohan right, does Lindsay need McDonald’s or is her dramatic weight loss a sign of trouble? Weight loss expert, Dr. Sheila Forman is both a clinical psychologist and attorney who comments on the psychological and legal issues affecting our society today. She is the author of several self-help books, including Do You Use Food To Cope? A Comprehensive 15-Week Program for Overcoming Emotional Overeating.

Speaking Point: What Sudden Weight Loss Really Means:

Speaking Point: 1. Significant weight loss – a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month is reason for concern.

Speaking Point: 2. Whenever a patient shows up in a psychologist's office with dramatic weight loss the first thing to do is rule out a medical condition.

Speaking Point: 3. Medical condition that are often accompanied by sudden and dramatic weight loss include: diabetes, cancer, hyperthyroidism, and liver disease

Speaking Point: 4. If the reason for the weight loss is not medical, then a psychologist would assess for a psychological reason for the weight loss.

Speaking Point: 5. Psychological conditions that accompany weight loss include: depression, anorexia, and bulimia.

Speaking Point: 6. Lindsey is reported to be smoking a lot and drinking red bull. Both of these substances are stimulants and appetite suppressants which can result in weight loss. But these habits are also maladaptive coping skills and if a patient is using them it suggests that there are underlying psychological issues that need to be addressed.