Mental Breakdown/Sleep Related Eating Disorder

My younger sister is a talented dancer. She aspires to be a professional dancer and is studying dance at the collegiate level. She is a senior and was about to complete her first semester of her senior year when she had a mental breakdown. She was placed in a mental health facility for several days (for depression/being suicidal). After those few days she returned to school. A week later she had another episode and her psychiatrist suggested she withdraw from school and go home. Additionally, she is struggling with a sleep disorder (sleep related eating disorder). She wakes up during the middle of the night and devours anything in sight and has no memory of the episode in the morning. I was wondering if this shows up in her chart (natal/transits) Maybe moon in Virgo conj jupiter in the 12th ? Does anyone else have this issue? Any suggestions on how to cope with this?! I've been giving her suggestions/ looking up treatment options myself.

Can you go back to Astrodienst, and on the chart construction page (a bit lower down) input Ceres and Black Moon Lilith? One or both might be implicated in the symptoms you described. Ceres is a dwarf planet/asteroid named for the goddess of agriculture who sometimes shows up in eating disorders. [Do you know if your sister is bulemic?] BML is kind of a spoiler, or the "inner bad girl" in the chart.

But just looking at what we have so far, it is interesting that your sister is a dancer, as the 12th house rules the feet. The moon indicates how we simply "feel" things emotionally (such as music) while Jupiter is usually a good luck factor. Your sister has these planets wired into a "kite" formation, with sun-Venus at the tip of her kite. The sun is one's identy, and Venus rules the fine and performing arts!

It is not unusual for high school or university seniors to suddenly wig out, because all of a sudden they have to leave their comfort zone and jump into the unknown. These stresses, if not articulated openly, can lead to nervous disorders affecting the stomach.

Currently your sister has transiting Neptune and Chiron in her 6th house of health, opposing her moon Jupiter. Each planet has multiple meanings, and the moon also rules the stomach. Neptune suggests illnesses that are hard to diagnose, as well as drugs; and Chiron shows us "where it hurts." Ideally both of these planets ultimately lead to greater wisdom and compassion, but it can be a challenging time for people when they are in the "hurt" stage, before the wisdom kicks in.

As if this weren't enough, transiting Pluto is opposing your sister's sun. She may feel as though powerful forces or even people are opposing her interests at this time. She may feel an overhwelming desire simply to shut herself up at home, rather than face them.

Natally your sister has Mercury (thinking function) conjunct Chiron and opposite Saturn, a planet that teaches hard work, patience, and deferred gratification if well-used; but that can also lead to pessimistic thinking of not being good-enough if undeveloped. I suspect your sister, at this threshhold time of her life, fears that she will never make it as a dancer, but cannot imagine what else to do.

The moon (emotional needs as well as the stomach) can encourage binge eating, especially of carbs as these act as a sedative.

You are a good sister to be so concerned. You sister needs to take a doctor's note to her teachers and student advisor ASAP, so that she can cget a medical leave or extentions on her courses, vs. failing them.

Then your sister's ally here will be her natal Mars and Pluto, which teach raw courage in the face of adversity. With Pluto trine her sun, she has the capacity to undergo profound personal transformation.

The moon also rules night and sleep, so we see how your sister's symptoms combine in an astrologically understandable way. I suffer from insomnia myself, so I sympathize with her. The best thing is to follow all of the sensible advice out there on how to create a conducive sleeping environment, and then just live with it rather than taking sleeping pills. These are habit forming, and even addictive. It is OK to lie awake, just so long as she can creatively visualize calming images and thoughts, vs. stressing out about not sleeping.

I find I get my best sleep in the early morning hours-- she may too; so ideally she can sleep in a little.

Having no memory of eating in the middle of the night suggests either sleep walking, or some kind of black-out, such as occurs with heavy drinkers who don't recall in the morning what they said the night before. Do you know if she is secretly drinking, or using drugs? The main thing is that if she is sleep walking, you don't want her to accidentally injure herself.

This is a good time for your sister to be under the care of a doctor, and probably a licensed clinical psychologist. If she hasn't discussed these symptoms with her psychiatrist, she should do so soon.

Thank you for responding Waybread. I really appreciate your insight! As far as I know my sister is not bulimic. She did however, have a friend who was anorexic in middle school and I think this may possibly be related to that. That's interesting, I had no idea the 12th ruled the feet. I know another issue she faces is with her skin. She suffers from acne and gets embarrassed because she constantly has to look at herself and everyone else she dances with looks flawless.

Unfortuantely, she already suffers from stomach problems which I am sure are a result of her binge eating. I looked at that and wondered if Neptune and Chiron had something to do with this. She is definitely in the "hurt" stage right now. Yes, she is currently just staying in and avoiding contact with people except for the friend she is staying with until the semester ends. My sister always thinks she isn't good enough. I constantly tell her that she is and so do others but she always doubts herself.


Thanks I try to be there for her. When I was younger my mom told me that she felt she never had to worry about me because I am very strong minded but she was so worried about my sister and now I can see and feel why. Yes, that was taken care of this past week. She was granted medical leave. Since she is an A student her professors are granting her incompletes until she is ready to return to school. She will not have to repeat any of her courses.

Yes, she is determined and I have faith that she will pull through. I just have to get her to see beyond today.

That is great advice! I have warned her against sleeping pulls. I also believe that they cause more harm than good.

I'll have to suggest that she maybe sleep later or change her sleep cycle.

Yes, she sleep walks. She doesn't like drinking very much and I know she smokes weed every now and then.

She is already under the care of both a psychiatrist and a psychologist. She has also been to the sleep clinic where she lives to have tests done on her.

Thanks again

This recommendation is non-astrology related. Lovelynomad7, I would recommend you try food grade Diatomaceous earth. This removes parasites which are related to incessant eating or food cravings (which we all have from time to time by the way). DE also contains amorphous silica which helps with sleeping and other health issues. I have used this for years and it has a calming effect on the body and mind.

Thanks Rosie! I've never heard of it before. I will definitely relay the message to my sister and perhaps purchase some for myself.