LN – "Eating disorder consumes your life"

“You stop eating or you obsess over food all the time,” says Sofía Derosa (35), recalling her teenage years when she had bulimia nervosa. “What has the eating disorder it is that it consumes your life, because you are all the time thinking about that: what did you eat, what are you going to eat or what you can do not to eat. That affects you a lot and, as a person, you fade away, “adds Sofía, who only at 26 was able to ask for help to end the disease.

The first years he hid it, no one in his environment knew the problem he was going through or imagined his suffering. And the more he shut himself in, the worse he felt. Until he managed to click when he realized that his health was at risk. At that moment she thought, “I don’t know how to do it, but I have to find a way out.” Thanks to a doctor friend, she met La Casita for care and prevention for adolescents, young people and her family. There she began a long treatment accompanied by doctors, psychologists, nutritionists and by several groups of girls who were going through a similar situation.

“You arrive at La Casita and life changes you. In this place I met people who looked me in the eye, explained what was happening to me and said: ‘You don’t have to live with this for the rest of your life, you can be happy. ‘And that was great because from then on I gave myself to treatment, “he explains with a smile, revealing the great will and effort he put into getting ahead.

One of the things he learned in this organization is that eating disorders they do not have a single cause, the triggers can be personality, genetic, biological or social. In this sense, she comments: “The disorder does not come alone. It is an alarm of other things that are happening to you. In my case, the first thing we did was to stabilize the meal times and give structure to the whole life

His treatment lasted four years, in which he gradually improved, overcoming many obstacles. “You start working on who you want to be, you re-arm yourself as a person and enjoy life. The biggest change is learning to open up to others, to trust and know that you can live without illness,” he remarks.

Sofía decided to share her story of overcoming because she thinks that her experience can serve others who are walking the same path and thus give them strength. “What would you say to someone who has not yet dared to ask for help? Don’t be afraid. It seems difficult, but life can be better and happier.” Without a doubt, she is the best proof of this.

Where to turn for help

• La Casita: is a care and prevention center for adolescents and young people and their families. To address the problem that may arise, it works emphasizing the resources of the person and their family system, relying mainly on the peer group. Tel .: 011 4787-5432.
• Durand Hospital. Tel .: 011 4982-5555 / 5655
• Piñero Hospital. Tel .: 011 4631-8100 / 0526
• Borda Hospital Tel .: 011 4305-6666 / 6485
• Pirovano Hospital Tel .: 011 4546-4300
• Argerich Hospital Tel .: 011 4121-0700
• Garrahan Hospital Tel .: 011 4122-6000
• Gutiérrez Hospital Tel .: 011 4962-9247