This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau Shares Her Former Struggle With Bulimia

"I remember feeling ashamed."

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau has opened up about her former struggle with bulimia.

Speaking at an event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for Eating Disorder Awareness Week on Feb. 2, the prime minister's wife discussed how she used to ask herself why she used to suffer from the eating disorder, Global News reports.

"I remember feeling ashamed, thinking, 'Why am I suffering from this?' On the surface I had it all," she told the audience. "I kept reading about what it was to be a bulimic and saying, 'This is the last time I’m doing this to myself.' I started to tremble because of too much binging and purging and thinking, 'What is this?'"

Fortunately for the mom of three, Grégoire Trudeau said she had a lot of support from family and friends, and she revealed that talking about her experience — one that is all too common among young women — led to other sufferers of the eating disorder to open up about their health.

"The moment I started sharing my story, obviously I had begun on my road to recovery, the response and the people who were opening up towards their own struggles to me and to other people around them was the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received," the 41-year-old said.

The mental health advocate also noted that more work on combating eating disorders needs to happen.

"We know what we’ve got to do. Now we really have to start taking it even more seriously and doing it."

She also shared a message about the importance of talking about eating disorders on her Facebook page.

"Eating disorders are not a choice. They are not capricious episodes. They are so real, and they take away lives," she wrote. "This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, let’s share our stories, our struggles, and our truths. Only then can we break the silence, solitude, and isolation that takes away too many of our sisters, our daughters, and our friends. I was honoured to join NIED today to share my own story & support those who are working hard to fight these disorders. #EDAW2017"

According to Statistics Canada, bulimia nervosa predominantly affects females — about 90 per cent of cases. Approximately one to three per cent of young women develop bulimia in their lifetime.

Bulimia is characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by purging.

To watch Sophie's full speech, check out the video above.

Also on HuffPost

Demi Lovato

Stars Who've Battled Eating Disorders

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.