Answer
Answer:
As-Salamu ‘Alaikum sister,
I am very happy to hear you are on a waiting list for therapy as it is critical that you receive the help you need. While I am not an Islamic scholar, Binge Eating Disorder is a classified psychiatric disorder, as you know, and, therefore, should be treated as any other illness.
I am also amazed that you are so candid about your disclosure to your husband as well as candid about your needs. You should be proud of yourself.
I am sorry, however, that he is not as supportive as he should be. Perhaps, he lacks the educational component of BED and its seriousness. If you are being followed by a doctor until you get into treatment, perhaps your husband can come on one of your doctor’s visits and have the doctor fully explain BED to him (if he hasn’t already). I would also suggest, dear sister, that you seek out a BED Support group in your area. If there isn’t one, perhaps you may want to start one.
As you know, women with BED usually live silently with the disorder. A support group, which is in a confidential and safe place, may appeal to others looking for support from those who can truly relate and understand what they are going through. As I do not know where you live, I cannot recommend any Support Groups; however, you can find them on the internet, or look up MeetUp.com and put in BED. This will give you the support you need, in sha’ Allah, until your space is open for therapy. There are also BED support groups which meet online rather in a face to face setting. I found one here.
Until your treatment begins, please do not let your husband make you feel bad or guilty. I know this is hard, but rationally, you know about the disorder, its effects as well as its difficulties. Do seek Allah’s (swt) guidance, dear sister, make du’aa’ that He (swt) restores your health and grants you ease. You sound like a very intelligent young woman, and I am confident that once in treatment, you will overcome BED.
I hope this has helped some. If you still have questions about Islamic rulings, please write to our “Ask the Scholar” section. You are in our prayers. We wish you the best.
Salam,
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