Mother fights to save daughter from severe eating disorder

Dalila Brancaccio, 29, a resident of Castel d’Emilio, Italy, has been living with anorexia nervosa since 2017. Her mother, Rita Orza, 60, a nurse, describes the challenges they faced in helping her daughter recover.

In January 2018, Dalila was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at a public centre for eating disorders in Fermo. At that time, she weighed just 31kg (68 pounds). The centre’s diagnosis provided the Brancaccio family with a path forward and led to Dalila being placed on a strict meal plan.

Rita Orza recounts the difficulties of caring for her daughter during this period. She would often light fires in their home to keep Dalila warm, as she was always cold despite wearing multiple sweaters. Rita also prepared hot water bottles for Dalila to use, which helped alleviate some of her discomfort.

The Brancaccio family’s daily routine revolved around managing Dalila’s eating habits and ensuring she received the necessary medical care. Shopping for food became a challenge, as Dalila had specific dietary requirements that were difficult to meet. Rita would often have to travel 30 minutes by car to Ancona to find specialty stores that sold certain foods.

Dalila spent much of her time researching food, calories, and recipes online, criticizing the family’s eating habits in the process. Her mother, Rita, describes a sense of isolation during this period, as Dalila withdrew from social interactions and became increasingly dependent on her mother for emotional support.

In recent times, Dalila has made progress in her recovery, with her mother reporting that she is no longer as fragile as she once was. The family’s daily routine has become more manageable, although Rita still takes steps to shield her daughter from the outside world when necessary.

Source: Al Jazeera