Eating disorders affect men too! Bulimia for 12 yeras

by Angelo Henderson
(Los Angeles, CA)

I am a bulimia survivor. I suffered with bulimia signs off and on for almost 12 years, and just recently I have finally gotten the strength to fully share my story with everyone.

Growing up was very difficult for me. I was the quiet, chubby, fat kid in school, with not an ounce of confidence, or any social skills. On top of that, I was constantly standing in the shadow of my popular older brother who was an everybodys guy.

I started to endure a lot of bullying when I was barely in the second grade, and I don't remember one day without being called some sort of name. But mainly the kids would call me a "fag" and a "fat ass." Not only did I have to deal with that, but I also suffered from a disorder called Gynecomastia, which are pretty much male breasts.

To cut a very very long story short, after the constant bullying, name calling, a failed modeling career, and just falling in a shadow, I found myself making myself throw up. At the time, I only did it when I ate a lot. But what originally started as only once in a while, turned into something that happened occasionally, and what happened occasionally, turned into something that happened constantly. I was so wrapped up in all the attention I was getting from the weight loss that I didn't realize how bad it was getting. And what I thought I could control, turned into something that took over my soul....

By the time I was 19, I was 6ft 2in and weighed roughly around 140 lbs...(not cute when you are so tall)...my skin was pale, my teeth where yellow, and I had the worst mood swings. Anyone who tried to give me any support I would just lash out, pushing anyone who gave a damn away. It became more than just losing weight. I was addicted to the rush and the high I would get every time I would vomit....


I didn't seek professional help...which explains why I suffered from bulimia nervosa for so long. The help I did get was from writing poetry, songs, reading self help books, meditation, etc. But had I sought out professional help much earlier, I probably wouldn't be enduring all the major effects of eating disorders that the bulimia has caused to my body.

I'm 28 yrs old, and my hair is thinning, my teeth are falling out, and I have no energy....my joints are extremely painful, and all of this just to try to mold myself into a certain group....it definitely was not worth it...

Recently I started my own blog Bulimia Affects All, which pretty much chronicles my life as a bulimia survivor. I have poems, videos of inspiration, and just random thoughts of pop culture. I also have photos of when I was really addicted to this eating disorder. I hope that with this blog, I can educate and possibly save someone from entering the same path I entered when I was a child....

Glad to have shared a portion of my life with you, and I have nothing but love and respect...