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The question was submitted 05/31/2008

Subject: My Bulimic tendency

Dear Dep net,

I have been suffering from bulimia since I was 18. Being extremly overweight while I was in my teens made bulimia a very easy way for me to lose weight without being abnormal in front of people. I went from a hefty 86kg for a 162cm girl to now about 55kg.

This has been going on for 11 years now. I did it all the way through my wedding, my 2 pregnancies and even now. My choice of food in the day is always healthy food, like steamed vegetables, brown rice etc. When I'm away from the public eye, I start to binge on all the extremly unhealthy food that i can lay my hands on.

I have realised that I have lost the ability to love. My life with my husband is because of the duties that we have to fulfil as parents, I will rather binge than to spend time with my kids. I am always thinking about food, when I'm at home, I will eat and eat then puke for more than 4 times in a row.

I know that I should seek help, but I do not want the social labeling when I go to IMH for treatment nor do I want to pay for the specialist consultations in the public sector. Should I continue my life like this? My mother was a very anxious person and I grew up with constant beatings scoldings, and she will threaten to leave the house whenever in an arguement with my father. She will be very tired when she tries to teach us homework and food is the only thing that can keep her awake.

Can you please advise me what should I do and where should I go for my condition?

Answer from DepNet

Hi,

There are Eating Disorder specialists in SGH,AH and NUH - which you can consult without the stigma of IMH. It is important for you to get treated for your condition as it not only affects your life, it affects your husband and children as well.
It is a very treatable condition - the specialists will advise you.

Take care & Regards,

Depnet

The answer was published on DepNet 07/01/2008