Do you see? (edited)

Many people ask her why, how it happened, what it was like, how it is for her now.

There is the look of incredulity, bewilderment, always- on both their faces. What do you mean why? I mean, isn’t it obvious? Don’t you see what I see? But now that she's on the road to Recovery, albeit still struggling with what her eyes see, she's beginning to understand that what her eyes and yours see are worlds apart.

Because of the illness, her eyes didn't, couldn't see what you saw. Till now, when she looks into the mirror, very often, she still sees... Ele.

Recovering means that she understands it better now, that on better days, her eyes tell her the truth. But it doesn’t change the fact that mostly, those eyes see a different reality- a distortion, a distortion so scary because the illness makes it so real.

Perhaps the videos below will give you an idea of what her life with Anorexia used to be like, help you to understand some of the struggles related to Recovering from it, and how it is like for millions of girls and women all over the world suffering from this unspoken epidemic.

Anorexia kills by distorting what the eye sees. It distorts the body, food, the sense of self. The illness makes it impossible to trust one's own sight, which is why the doctors have to prescribe her meal plans. More than ever, she is beginning to see that...

what is important, is really not what the eye sees, but what it cannot see.

The videos below might put you off, for whatever reasons, but before you pass your judgement, take a moment to consider that there is more that meets the eye, more beneath the surface than just a seemingly superficial condition. Ironically, this "superficial" condition hits those facing some of the most complicated issues in their lives, attacks those with rational, intelligent, sound minds, and yet, heavily distorting the realities of their victims.

These aren't exaggerations, but are as close to the truth as it gets. This is why it is an illness, and if you know somebody who is suffering, please don't chide, mock or trivialise their struggle. Bring it up to them gently, don't force the truth down their throats because remember, they can't see what you see. You don't need to understand, because the truth is, unless you've been through it yourself, you can't. But you can validate and respect their feelings, and understand that they are fighting a terrifying battle alone. Love them, pray for them, be gentle and help them to get help.







All posts under the link Therapy chronicle her journey to recovery from Anorexia and depression with professional help from the team at the Singapore General Hospital.


By sharing her journey, she hopes it will help shed light on these highly misunderstood illnesses, and encourage those of you considering professional help to take the brave step forward to confront your challenges. No one recovers by themselves- take the first step foward.