Ask Julie: I Deal With Abusive Boyfriend By Cutting And Binging

Q: Hi, I am 19 year old girl in my 2nd year of college. I currently live with my boyfriend of 4 years who is 25 years old. Our relationship used to be really good, but now all we do is argue. A few years ago I was flirting with other guys and he has never forgiven me for it. He constantly tells me he doesn't trust me, and when he gets mad he tells me he hates me, that I should crawl in a hole in die, that he can't stand to look at me, and many profanities. He spends no time with me so I spend the majority of time home all alone, which is the main issue because that gives me all the time alone I need to self-destruct.I can't stand myself, I hate everything about me. I'm fat and ugly, sometimes I don't even know why I bother trying to make it through life nothing ever goes as planned. I feel like I am constantly starving myself or if not eating ridiculous amounts of food and then feeling guilty so that I either make myself puke or cut myself. I can't control it, I feel like if I can make myself attractive my boyfriend will love me again but I can't even take care of myself. The worst was when he caught me binging and freaked out along the lines of "No wonder I'm always starving, you eat all the food. For once I wish you would save some for me instead of stuffing your face all the time." And despite hearing that I still continue to stuff my face... I can't help myself... maybe I deserve to be fat. I can't even decide what is worse, the purging or the self-harm. Both cause me discomfort and to feel like a failure, but in the end neither make me prettier...they just make me uglier. This also causes me to spend way too much money on food...I am $20,000 in debt with my bank because of all the money I waste on food. I eat too much so now I cant even barely afford anything...which my boyfriend also blames me for...rightfully, it is my fault.I just don't know what to do. I have thought about trying to see a therapist regularly but I'm too embarrassed. I don't want to make known just how disgusting I am. I don't want anyone to know how much I eat. I don't want anyone to know how my boyfriend treats me. I just want to be a normal person... I want to be happy, and loved...what do I have to do to be okay?? :(

A: Even though you're embarrassed, please go see a therapist ASAP. Licensed therapists are trained to help individuals and couples in crisis resolve your problems and help you, not to judge you. Just by reading this letter I can sense the depth of your pain, I have empathy for you,  and I want to help you. This is how your therapist will feel too when you meet with him or her face to face. If you're not sure where to find a therapist in your area click the Find Help tab at the top of this page for a listing. There are likely earlier roots to your self-destructive eating patterns, cutting, and dysfunctional relationship that can be explored and healed in therapy and are beyond the scope of what I can offer here.What you're describing in relationship with your boyfriend is verbal and emotional abuse. No one deserves to be told by their lover "I hate you" or "You should just crawl in a hole and die."  That is heartbreaking to hear and needs to stop if you are ever going to gain self-esteem and confidence to change your life. Your therapist can help you to build  relationships skills and to help you come up with a plan to stand up for yourself when your boyfriend becomes verbally abusive.In addition to meeting with a therapist regularly, I suggest you start seeking out books, blogs, and other resources and start arming yourself with more knowledge and tools to help you feel stronger and more competent. Here are some excellent resources right here at Psych Central to help you get started:Weightless BlogEating Disorder & Binge Eating InfoSelf-injury ForumRelationship & Communication ForumEating Disorder Community ForumTake good care of yourself!Julie Hanks, LCSW