From Bulimia to a Self-Determined Life: Andrea ammann’s Path to Freedom
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Andrea Ammann suffered from bulimia for almost 20 years and finally found a way out of the illness. Today she accompanies affected women on their path back to a self-determined life.
For almost two decades, Andrea Ammann’s life was dictated by bulimia. The cycle of bingeing and purging controlled her days, eroding her self-worth and isolating her from the world. “It was exhausting,” she recalls. “Constantly thinking about food,weight,and how to hide my behavior. It felt like a full-time job, on top of everything else.”
The turning point didn’t come in a moment of sudden clarity, but rather through a long and arduous process of self-discovery.Andrea realized that bulimia wasn’t about food at all; it was a coping mechanism for deeper emotional pain. “I used it to numb feelings I didn’t know how to deal with – anxiety, sadness, loneliness.”
Traditional therapy hadn’t provided lasting relief. Andrea found herself repeatedly falling back into old patterns. She began to explore alternative approaches, delving into mindfulness, self-compassion, and somatic experiencing. These methods helped her connect with her body and emotions in a new way, breaking the cycle of shame and self-destruction.
“Learning to be kind to myself was revolutionary,” Andrea explains. “For years, I had been my own harshest critic. I started to practice self-compassion, acknowledging my pain without judgment.”
Today, Andrea is a certified coach and supports women struggling with eating disorders. She offers individual coaching, workshops, and online programs, guiding them towards a healthier relationship with food and themselves. Her approach is holistic, addressing not only the behavioral aspects of the illness but also the underlying emotional and psychological factors.
“My goal is to empower women to reclaim their lives,” she says. “To help them understand that they are worthy of love and respect, irrespective of their weight or appearance.And to show them that recovery is possible.”
Andrea emphasizes that recovery is not about achieving a “perfect” body or following a strict diet. It’s about finding freedom from the tyranny of food and embracing a life filled with joy, purpose, and self-acceptance. “It’s about learning to nourish your body and soul, and living authentically.”
For those struggling with bulimia or other eating disorders, Andrea offers a message of hope: “You are not alone. There is help available, and you deserve to live a life free from suffering. reach out, ask for support, and believe in your ability to heal.”
Action Days
The Basel people Mental health action days run until October 30th. The series of events offers interested parties, relatives, those affected and specialists an interactive platform for an open exchange. With the help of informative events about mental health and mental illnesses, prejudices can be broken down, taboos can be broken and bridges can be built. The aim is to jointly discover ways to improve psychological resilience and promote mental health.
The Brilliant Solution: A woman’s Experience with Bulimia
“I fooled everyone by eating more and more and then throwing up.”
Andrea Ammann,mentor for women with bulimia
From that point on,Andrea Ammann hardly ate anything. She lost so much weight in three months that her parents sent her to a doctor and a psychologist – alone. She couldn’t trust either of them. “I checked back then: in order to get out of this situation as quickly as possible, I had to gain weight again. So I started eating more again.”
Those around her were calm, the “problem” seemed to be overcome, no one asked questions. “I fooled everyone by eating more and more and then throwing up. I definately didn’t want to gain weight and appear feminine.” At the time, she didn’t even know that there was an eating disorder called bulimia. She simply threw up after eating and thought: “Wow, I have found an absolutely brilliant solution.”
“I realized: Either I end my life now or I change it.”
Andrea Ammann, mentor for women with bulimia
Long COVID Stole Her Life – Now Andrea Ammann is fighting Back
Andrea Ammann, a 42-year-old mother of two, experienced a dramatic shift in her life after contracting COVID-19 in February 2022. What began as a typical illness quickly spiraled into a debilitating case of Long COVID, leaving her severely ill and unable to function.
“I couldn’t even lie down anymore,” Ammann recounts. “Every position was painful. I was constantly fatigued, and my brain felt like it was in a fog.” She initially dismissed her symptoms as lingering effects of the virus, but they persisted and worsened over time.
Ammann faced a frustrating battle to receive a diagnosis. Doctors struggled to understand her complex symptoms, which included severe fatigue, cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”), muscle pain, and digestive issues. Many initially attributed her condition to psychological factors. “I felt like I was going crazy,” she says. “No one believed how sick I was.”
The impact on her family was profound. Ammann was unable to care for her children, and her husband took on the full obligation of childcare and household duties. She lost her job and became increasingly isolated. “I felt like I was losing everything,” she admits.
Eventually, Ammann connected with a Long COVID clinic at the University Hospital Zurich. There, she received a formal diagnosis and began a comprehensive rehabilitation program. The program included physical therapy, cognitive training, and psychological support.
“The therapy helped me to gradually regain my strength and cognitive function,” Ammann explains. “It was a long and arduous process,but it gave me hope.” She emphasizes the importance of pacing herself and listening to her body.
Ammann now advocates for greater awareness and understanding of Long COVID. She actively participates in support groups and shares her story to help others feel less alone.She also urges healthcare professionals to take Long COVID seriously and provide appropriate care.
“Long COVID is a real and debilitating illness,” ammann asserts. “We need more research, better treatments, and more support for those who are suffering.” She now leads a more self-determined life with her youngest daughter, but acknowledges the ongoing challenges. “I’m not fully recovered, but I’m learning to live with Long COVID and to find joy in life again.”