Questions for Doris Smeltzer Author of Andrea’s Voice: Silenced by Bulimia

How did you first discover that your daughter, Andrea, had bulimia?

Experts estimate that 10 million females and one million males are affected by either anorexia or bulimia nationwide; twenty-five million more are struggling with binge eating disorder. Did these numbers surprise you?

You describe your struggle with breast cancer and your husband’s recovery from a heart attack when Andrea was young. How did Andrea respond to your illnesses?

Bulimia is generally considered to be a psychological and emotional disorder, which sometimes coexists with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Was this true for your daughter, Andrea?

When your daughter first admitted to you that she was binging and purging, what was your reaction? Did you think she could be cured?

You describe Andrea as looking healthy throughout her disease. How was her health being affected by bulimia?

You have said you fit the profile of a “mother of a sufferer,” and that you had false notions about how you could help your daughter. What does that mean?

Andrea was only 19 when she died in her sleep after struggling with bulimia for less than two years. Did you or Andrea ever think this disease would kill her?

In Andrea’s Voice, you have included passages from your daughter’s letters, poetry and journals. Why did you decide to do this?

Tell us about the organization you founded in Andrea’s name, Andrea’s Voice Foundation, and what kind of work the Foundation is doing.

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