I love the mystery that lies behind people. You meet someone and all you see is the surface, but then you talk and connect with them and the truth is revealed-- exposing the complex composition of what's shaped them into the person they are today. Over the past couple months, I've had the pleasure of getting to know someone I now consider a good friend. This person has asked to remain anonymous, but gave me permission to share her story in hopes to bring awareness and truth to something she used to struggle with Bulimia.

*I will refer to my friend as Isabel for the rest of the article.

From the moment I met Isabel, she always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude; to me, she was a confident, go-lucky girl. After sometime, she revealed to me that during her sophomore year of high school, she became bulimic and obsessive about her body image. I've always known about this eating disorder, but I didn't really understand everythingabout it, so I asked Isabel to explain what the eating disorder meant to her.

She told me that "it was the best of both worlds. I got to eat and enjoy food, then throw it up and not gain the weight or calories; it wasn't a disease, it was a diet."

I asked Isabel what triggered the eating disorder where she explained that it was mostly her own family.

"I was always being called fat and being told it was in my genetics and it was my family saying 'it's okay, someone's bound to love you' that really triggered it. They basically told me I was stuck this way and I didn't want to be that person. I wanted to be the skinny girl that all the boys liked."

I asked her what a typical day looked like for her during that time.

"When it was a school day, I would eat a big breakfast that was 500 calories. Then I had a small lunch at school but I would make sure to throw up before class. After school I would go to softball practice and take some caffeine substance because I would feel weak. Then I would go home and eat carbs and then throw it up and work out before starting my homework...I always had headaches and would feel dizzy and weak."

Along with feeling dizzy and weak, Isabel told me that she eventually had to get her molars replaced because they were disintegrating from the bile and acid that came with throwing up. Her mouth was always in pain and felt dry.

"Back then the pain was worth it. I told myself 'either I suffer through the pain now and get my great body, or I don't suffer and be fat forever.' "

I was curious about how long this went on for and if the people around her started to notice.

"This went on for 5 months and people didn't notice I was bulimic until the last couple of months. My health teacher first noticed and asked if I was okay, but I didn't want him to know because I feared him telling my parents. It was when someone looked at me and said 'wow, you DON'T look healthy' when I really cracked and realized I needed help. It was hard stopping because I knew I was going to gain the weight back and I had to be monitored constantly. My mom would randomly come in my room and search to make sure I didn't have bags or buckets. She checked my teeth, went to all doctor's appointments, and even put her ear up to the bathroom door to make sure I wasn't throwing up. Through counseling and family I stopped. My family and sister supported me through this whole process. My sister, health teacher, and counselors were the biggest supporters during this time. "

To finish up Isabel's interview, I asked her to tell me what she's learned and what message she would send to people struggling with Bulimia.

"It's really selfish to be bulimic, I know it sounds weird, but you're not only affecting yourself, but the people around you. My family learned a valuable lesson during all of this, and to this day my mom never comments on what I'm eating. It's okay to not be perfect and it's okay to tell people about it and accept help. I didn't want to tell people because I was embarrassed. No one's going to think you're an attention seeker if you really have this disorder. It's more than okay to ask for help."

Lastly, I asked Isabel to tell me what she would tell her Sophomore self today if she had the chance, what makes her confident, and what her health habits are currently.

"I would tell myself that it's okay to not to be perfect because even the models aren't perfect. There's no such thing as bad genetics and you are beautiful and worth it- don't let society define you. When I was bulimic, I strayed away from God and now I'm closer than ever to Him and I know that He loves me and has a plan for me- that's what makes me really confident. When I look in the mirror, I don't see my flaws anymore, my flaws are what makes me unique and original. As of now, I eat a plant based lifestyle. I love to eat in abundance so this works for me. I work out four times a week but really it's all about balance, control, and moderation."

I'm not only proud of Isabel for being so honest and real with me but I'm so incredibly inspired. She projects confidence, hope, and a story that I know will touch people struggling with this disorder. If you are struggling with Bulimia, remember that you are not alone and there are people out there that want to help you. YOU ARE ENOUGH.