Frank Bruni's Born Round and bulimia
 

Frank Bruni's book Born Round has just been released. In his book, he reveals that at times in his life he has purged by vomiting and using laxatives. He comes short of saying he had or has bulimia.

I hope that he will accept that point and make the effort to be something of a spokesman about the dangers of bulimia for men. It is a dangerous disease. I know, my husband died of it. Seven months before he died several of his friends asked me to arrange an intervention because of his drinking. I did. But the problem was that there was not one recovery center in the nation that would take a man who was double addicted - not one. PLUS, his bulimia was a secret and it was not one that I had the freedom to divulge. He actually never forgave ME for the intervention - which as you might have imagined was unsuccessful. He would have been more unforgiving if I had raised the issue of bulimia - a dirty secret.

Someone like Bruni could truly help bring healing air to the shame of this devastating disease. His revelation could have saved my husband's life. Maybe it could save others.

WordKeeper, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. Bulimia is indeed a devastating condition. It must have been so frustrating when no recovery centers agreed to heal your husband - it reflects on the urgent need for more support for those who are struggling, no matter how much the individuals have to deal with at once. But it was extremely courageous of you to arrange the intervention; you did the right thing, even if he did not realize it. Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize the true goodwill of others.

I am glad to hear that Frank Bruni's new book has been released; I had read his very well-written and engaging article on the NYT a few weeks back, talking about his "baby bulimia." I agree that Bruni's publication could spread awareness of the struggles of men with bulimia and has the potential to lead more people to recovery. This book seems like one more step forward for healing bulimia.

Thank you for your post harmonyser. It makes such a difference to have someone comment when I put such intimate, personal material out there. It is like receiving salve on a festering wound that I decided to at last summon the courage to air. You have given a gift of greater proportion that you could have imagined.