I’m writing to you as I am at my wit’s end. My girlfriend and I went through a transformation programme. Both our weights dropped, hers from 63 to 55, and mine from 87 to 78.

However, after the programme, my girlfriend became unstable and started to binge eat. She snacks a lot and have cakes, which is fine, but what’s not fine is that she starts to feel guilty about it and breaks down often because of her lack of discipline.

I’ve researched a little and probably should not self diagnose ourselves, but I feel she has binge eating disorder.

How should i support her and where should I seek help from?

RESPONSE FROM DR. KIM LIAN ROLLES-ABRAHAM:

Unfortunately, a lot of transformation programmes involve some form of food restriction – call it a diet or whatever you like – and it is quite common for people to end up bingeing or overeating after that.

This is the body’s way of responding, by overcompensating for the duration it felt “starved”. Sometimes, this is how disordered eating begins, and whether she is actually bingeing or not is irrelevant, as the crucial factor is her feeling guilty and breaking down.

As it is taking a toll on her emotionally, it would be good to seek help from a clinic or hospital team that specialises in treating eating disorders. In the meantime, do encourage her to have her three meals and snacks, and perhaps eating with her during those time points might help to regulate the amount of food consumed.